1723. Museums & Galleries Commission/Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries

The Museums & Galleries Commission finished its work on 31 March. On 1 April it was superseded by the Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries (CMAL) (formerly the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council), which itself is expected to be re-named in the near future.

CMAL - the strategic champion for the archives, museums and libraries sectors - also subsumes the Library and Information Commission (LIC). Its headquarters will be at MGC's old address at 16 Queen Anne's Gate, though in the short term some staff will be based at 19-29 Woburn Place, formerly the LIC's offices.

Key players in the new organisation are:

its Chairman, Matthew Evans, a former Chairman of LIC, who was ennobled in the last list of working peers.

Loyd Grossman, Chairman of the Campaign for Museums and a former MGC Commissioner; Mark Wood, most recently Chair of LIC; Karen Knight, Head of Reading Museums & Archives; and Victor Gray, Chairman of the National Council on Archives, who have all been appointed as Councillors. Further appointments are expected within the next few weeks.

Neville MacKay, Chief Executive, formerly Head of the Libraries, Information and Archives Division of the Department of Culture, Media & Sport.

Vanessa Harris leads the finance & administration function as she did for MGC.

Chris Batt, who formerly managed the LIC's People's Network project, takes responsibility for IT, education and access.

Laura Drysdale, formerly Head of Advisory Services for MGC, is responsible for MGC's former executive functions.

The posts of Head of Strategy and Archives Adviser have recently been advertised.

Staff leaving MGC include Tim Mason, its Director, and Val Bott its Deputy Director; Emma Taylor, who led on Designation, is moving to the Norfolk Museums Service; and Isabel Wilson, of the Registration team, is joining the Croydon Museums Service.

For the time being, MGC publications will continue to be available as before and its website (www.museums.gov.uk), which includes factsheets and advice on a range of topics, will remain on-line until 1 April 2001, although it will no longer be updated.

CMAL has taken over the administration of the Sharing Museums Skills Millennium Awards scheme [Notice 1504], which will continue for the duration of its life span until May 2001. The next deadline for applications is 10 May 2000, with subsequent quarterly deadlines of 10 August, 10 November 2000; and 10 February, 10 May 2001. For details of the scheme contact Annie Hollobone, Millennium Awards Administrator. Tel: (020) 7233 4200. E-mail: a.hollobone@mgcuk.co.uk Internet: www.smsma.org.uk

A number of issues remain to be resolved, including the future of the Purchase Funds operated by the Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, the administration of the Museum Registration scheme, and the extent and nature of continuing provision of those services formerly provided by MGC. Details of changes will be reported in future issues of HOT NEWS.

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1724. Best Value Inspections

DETR Circular 10/99 requires local authorities to prepare plans which are intended to lead to services reaching the quality of the top 25% of services at the time the plan is prepared. The Audit Commission has recently released draft standards to identify what might be found in the 25%. They cover many more areas than the Audit Commission’s Performance Indicators, and their achievement will have resource and planning implications for a large number of museums. As part of its own Best Value programme, EmmS wishes to support museums in preparing realistic plans, and a meeting is planned for the near future to see how this is best achieved.

It is clear from Performance Review Plans that local authorities are approaching Best Value in many different ways. We are trying to collect copies of plans from each authority in the region; if you have not already sent us a copy we would very much like to receive one.

To help our planning, we are compiling a timetable of Best Value museum reviews. Not only will this enable us to organise our resources, but it will help us provide opportunities to exchange experiences between museums.

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1725. Fair Funding

From 29 February last, local education authorities are permitted to include expenditure on services to schools provided by museums and galleries in their Planned Expenditure. This may be deducted from the Local Schools Budget (Financing of Maintained Schools (England) Regulations 2000, Regulation 5(1), Schedule 1 (40).

It is now clear that funding for museum education services by a council that is also a local education authority does not fall within the category of expenditure that has to be delegated to schools.

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1726. Disability Rights Commission

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) will begin its operations on 25 April 2000. The Commission's main purpose is to eliminate discrimination against disabled people, promoting equal opportunities for them, identifying and disseminating good practice, and advising the government on the operation of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and other relevant legislation. Part of its remit will be to ensure proper access to public buildings.

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1727. Registered Museums

Since this item was last reported in HOT NEWS the following museums have been re-registered under Phase 2 of the Museums Registration scheme. Congratulations to:

• Creswell Crags Visitor Centre

• Derby, 9^th/12^th Royal Lancers Regimental Museum

• Earls Barton Museum of Local Life

• Kegworth Museum

The following museums have been Registered for the first time under Phase 2:

• Buxton Museum & Art Gallery

• Hinckley & District Museum

• Measham Museum

• Navenby, Mrs Smith's Cottage

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1728. Special Initiatives Fund 2^nd Round

Applications are invited for the second round of the EmmS Special Initiatives Fund. The fund especially welcomes applications for projects based on the recommendations made by Gill Tanner, EmmS Education Adviser. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 24 July 2000. Decisions will be announced by 21 August 2000 and the money will be available to spend from 1 September 2000.

If you would like to make an application please telephone Lesley Colsell on (0115) 985 4534.

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1729. Look at That

Museums should by now have received their first delivery of Look at That, which lists East Midlands museums and other heritage attractions operated by our members. This year it has been combined with information that has previously been published in our Access Guide. We would be grateful for any feedback on this new format. At the same time museums should have received copies of the leaflet we have produced promoting Museums & Galleries Month 2000 events in the region. If you have not received your delivery, or require additional copies, please telephone Matthew Hirst on (0115) 985 4534.

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1730. Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Museum and Oundle Museum Openings

The Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Museum at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life in Lincoln, was opened by HRH the Duke of York on Friday 7 April 2000, following refurbishment and complete redisplay of the galleries. This project was completed with a £164,600 awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Oundle Museum will re-open on 28 April following a move to new premises at The Courthouse, Oundle. This new home is shared with the Town Council, and provides permanent display areas, an education space and much-improved access arrangements. The new displays and the refurbishment of the building has been completed with a grant of £360,750 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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1731. Heritage Lottery Fund Surgeries

The surgeries being held at our offices by senior staff from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) [Notice 1713] still have a couple of vacant slots. If you are developing a project and need some advice with the preparation of a lottery application, you should book a 45-minute session on 25 May. Bookings should be made with Lesley Colsell on (0115) 985 4534.

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1732. New Beacon Council Scheme

The government established the Beacon Council scheme in 1999 to select councils that are centres of excellence for specific services. The current round seeks bids from eleven service areas, including stimulating economic and social regeneration through culture, sport and tourism.

Applications will be sought in May; selection will take place between August and December with the announcement planned for January 2001. Those selected will spread best practice in these service areas from April 2001-March 2002.

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1733. Benchmarking

The Group for Larger Local Authority Museums (GLLAM) has operated a benchmarking network for some years. An equivalent group for shire county council museum services is now meeting, organised by John Mathias of Leicestershire Museums, Arts & Records Service. Anyone wishing to know more about the group should telephone John on (0116) 265 6782.

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1734. Interpret Britain Awards

The Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI), invites applications for the Interpret Britain Awards 2000, whose purpose is to recognise and publicise outstanding practice in the provision of interpretative facilities for visitors throughout Britain. It is open to any organisation or individual in the public, private and voluntary sectors involved in interpreting a theme, place, site, collection, event or facility for the benefit of the general public. The Committee is looking for innovation in small as well as large interpretative schemes. To be eligible, schemes must have been open for no longer than two years.

The closing date for entries is Monday 5 June 2000. For details contact: John Iddon, Awards Organiser, Interpret Britain Awards, St Mary's College, Waldergrave Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, TW1 4SX. Tel: (020) 8240 4078. Fax: (020) 8240 4255.

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1735. Channel 4 Archaeological Awards

Entries are now being sought for the Channel 4 Awards, part of the British Archaeological Awards, which are made for various achievements in the field of archaeology. Channel 4 Awards will be given to the best broadcast programme and non-broadcast film or video on an archaeological subject produced or broadcast between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 2000. This year a third category will be added for the best ICT project on an archaeological subject. Projects can include CD-ROM, website or an integrated multimedia package.

Entries may deal with any aspect of archaeology including industrial archaeology and may have been made for broadcast, educational, promotional or site specific purposes. Winners will be awarded a £500 cash prize. Entries must be British produced and submitted no later than 30 June 2000. For details contact: The Hon. Secretary, CBA/BUFVC AV Media Working Party, c/o British Universities Film & Video Council, 77 Wells Street, London, W1P 3RE. Tel: (020) 7393 1507. Fax: (020) 7393 1555. E-mail: cathy@bufvc.ac.uk

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1736. National Science Week

The next National Science Week will take place from Friday 16 - Sunday 25 March 2001. Once again, the Committee on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) will be running a grants programme to enable events linked to the Week. Deadlines for applications are 31 May and 31 October 2000; applicants planning events are encouraged to apply for the first round so that they can then either proceed to organise their event having secured funding, or, if unsuccessful, re-apply in October.

For further information about National Science Week 2001 contact, Maria Roy, British Association for the Advancement of Science, 23 Savile Row, London, W1X 2NB. Tel: (020) 7973 3500. Fax: (020) 7973 3051. E-mail: maria.roy@britassoc.org.uk Internet: www.britassoc.org.uk

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1737. Guidance on Working with Independent Conservators

The Museums & Galleries Commission's (MGC) last publication was Working with Independent Conservators, Guidelines for Good Practice. The guidelines should help museums and other organisations appoint, brief and work with independent conservators to undertake remedial conservation and collection condition surveys.

Copies are priced £8.00 + £1.25 p&p and available from the Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries, 16 Queen Anne's Gate, London, SW1H 9AA. Tel: (020) 7233 4200.

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1738. Showcase on Offer

Nottingham City Museums are offering a large Edmonds Island showcase to any interested museums that would be prepared to collect it. The case is 1.51m long x 0.752m deep x 1.89m high - (including 93mm high light box). Interested parties should contact Neil Turner, Keeper of Geology, Nottingham Natural History Museum. Tel: (0115) 915 3907.

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1739. Forthcoming EmmS Training Seminars

VOLUNTEERING IN LOCAL AUTHORITY MUSEUMS - 10 MAY. Museums depend on local communities for support, and volunteering can provide huge opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build close connections with their collections, yet relatively few local authority museums promote these opportunities. This seminar will encourage participants to develop a volunteer programme for their own museum, identifying opportunities and overcoming problems. It will be linked with a manual we are publishing at the same time. 

WORLD OF MUSEUMS: UPDATE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY OFFICERS - 18 MAY. This half-day seminar is aimed specifically at local government officers who have responsibility for museums, but who are not trained museum professionals. The seminar will focus on topical issues of museum policy and management. 

BASIC MUSEUM DOCUMENTATION - 7 JUNE. This one-day seminar will be held on Wednesday 7 June and will be led by Alex Dawson of mda. If your museum is in the process of setting up systems for documenting their collections, or you have some new staff or volunteers, or you would like a refresher, then this day is suitable for you. The day will be held wherever there is the greatest demand, so if you have several people who would like to attend we could hold the seminar at your museum. Please telephone Lesley Colsell on (0115) 985 4534 to discuss your requirements.

CONSERVATION FOR NON-CONSERVATORS - 4 JULY. The aim of this course is to enable museum staff with no conservation training to undertake a variety of conservation treatments in safety. Tools, techniques, treatments and the ethical considerations of conservation will be discussed, before delegates spend the majority of the day in a conservation laboratory doing hands-on conservation with a wide range of social history items commonly found in museum collections. 

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1740. Forthcoming Events & Seminars

 

10 May THE BLUFFERS GUIDE TO EDUCATION - Museum Professionals Group.

This seminar will attempt to provide some guidance on developing a successful education programme with consideration of such issues as inclusion and lifelong learning. Venue: New Walk Museum, Leicester. Cost: Members £20, Non-members £25. For details contact: Sean Baggaley, Liverpool FC Museum, Liverpool FC, Anfield Road, Liverpool, L4 0TH. Tel: (0151) 260 6677. Fax: (0151) 264 0149.

18 May FIRST AID FOR BOOK COLLECTIONS - Society of Archivists. 

This event will help you to know how to apply first aid treatment, understand the limitations and know when to seek advice from an expert. Venue: Nottinghamshire Archives. Costs: £60/65 SoA members, £80 non-members. For details contact: Susan Bradshaw, SoA Training Officer, 10 Alverton Terrace, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1JE. Internet: www.archives.org.uk

20 May British Association of Friends of Museums’ (BAfM) East Midlands Regional

Meeting with the friends of Rutland County Museum. For details contact: Paul Howitt-Cowan, Regional Co-ordinator. Tel: (01427) 612017. E-mail: gainas@lineone.net

23-26 May THE ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND SITES

 - This course, led by John Thompson, will look at the integration of the care of plants and animals into the conservation of historic sites, the habitats involved and their management, with particular reference to some recent examples and the implications of wildlife legislation. Venue: West Dean College. Costs: £545 residential, £455 non-residential. For details contact: Building Masterclass Co-ordinator, West Dean College. Tel: (01243) 818294/811301. Fax: (01243) 811343. E-mail: westdean@pavillion.co.uk Internet: www.westdean.org.uk

5 June  A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING USING THE WEB - 

The Chartered Institute of Marketing. This seminar will cover issues from planning a site to techniques to improve its success. Venue: London. Costs: £335 + VAT. For details contact: The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Moor Hall, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 9QH. Fax: (01628) 427267.

20 July  NUMERACY - Group for Education in Museums (GEM). 

An opportunity to learn more about the national numeracy strategy. They will explore the numeracy hour and offer practical ideas and suggestions for the use of maths in a museum environment. Venue: Tamworth Castle Museum. Costs: £5. For details contact: Kirsty Sherwood, Tamworth Castle Museum, GEM Midlands, The Holloway, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7LR. Tel: (01827) 709632.

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1741. Congratulations to…

…Julie Biddlecombe, Curator of Erewash Museum Service, who has been awarded Associateship of the Museums Association (AMA).

…Susan Cooke from Shropshire Museums Service, who has been appointed Keeper of Charnwood Museum, Loughborough.

…Lindsay Cook, Assistant Keeper of Harborough Museum, on becoming Acting Keeper of Harborough Museum during Fred Hartley's two-year secondment as Keeper of Collections.

 

CUMULATIVE INDEX No 1 (January 1990) - No 127 (April 2000)

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