AVAILABLE ON-LINE AT www.emms.org.uk

1899. Regional Museums Task Force

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport has established a Task Force to develop a national strategic framework for regional museums and galleries in England, which met for the first time on 9 February. It is being chaired by Lord Evans, the Chairman of Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, and its members include:

• Deborah Boden, Essex Libraries & Museums (and sometime of the Leicestershire Museums, Arts and Records Service);

• David Fleming, Director of Tyne & Wear Museums and President of the Museums Association;

• Jane Glaister, Director of Bradford Museums & Galleries, and Adviser to the Cultural Executive of the Local Government Association;

• Karen Knight, Director of Reading Museums & Archives (and Director-Designate of Resource's Sector and Professional Team, a post she takes up in April, when she stands down from Resource's Board, of which she was a founder member);

• Neil Macgregor, Director of the National Gallery;

• Sir Nicholas Serota, Director of The Tate;

• Robert Sheldon MP, Labour MP for Ashton-under-Lyne.

The project leader is Stuart Davies, Director of Strategy and Policy at Resource. The Task Force, which will be supported by nine working parties and an informal network of correspondents, expects to meet four times, and report to the Secretary of State by June 2001. It promises wide consultation with museums and galleries, including regional meetings.

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1900. Museum Registration - Provisional Registration Status

A new policy on Provisional Registration status was agreed by Resource's Registration Committee in December 2000. The changes follow the review of the administration of the scheme undertaken by Adrian Babbidge and Rosemary Ewles last year. The new policy points out that Provisional status has always been intended as temporary, and that it has only been awarded when museums show willingness to bring themselves up to the Full Registration standard within a reasonable period of time. Some museums, however, have been content to remain at Provisional status for several years, and have shown little commitment to tackling the actions required to achieve the minimum standard represented by Full Registration.

In future, museums will only be awarded Provisional Registration for a specified period of up to one year. Museums that were awarded Provisional Registration in Phase 1 of the Scheme will be unlikely to be awarded that status for the same reasons in Phase 2, and are more likely to be removed from the Register. The past practice of awarding Full Registration 'subject to action', where there are minor outstanding action points, has been discontinued, and no longer will cases be deferred for extended periods of time.

We are currently reviewing all museums in the region that have been awarded Provisional Registration, Full Registration (subject to action), or which have been deferred, reminding them of the outstanding issues, and inviting them to address these within a stated period of time. This will either enable those museums to move to Full Registration, or lead to their removal from the Register. Museums should feel free to contact Rosemary Bower for further advice on (0115) 985 4534.

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1901. News from Resource

Resource this month published its Research Strategy, The Role of Research in Resource. It sets out a research agenda encompassing a range of activities, including

• Commissioning statistical information about museum, library and archive services;
• Mapping current trends;
• Identifying future priorities;
• Assessing need;
• Identifying best practice.

The Strategy will help Resource gain the evidence it needs to demonstrate the impact of the sector on key agendas, improve the quality of the customer experience, and take better advantage of funding opportunities. Resource will also work with other research-orientated organisations such as the Arts and Humanities Research Board.

Resource is reviewing the UK Office for Library and Information Networking (UKOLN) which provides policy, research and awareness services to the UK library, information and cultural heritage communities. It is expected that the review will identify how UKOLN contributes to Resource's mission, develop a three-year work programme to reflect Resource's current requirements, and examine how UKOLN's programme relates to mda, which is also funded by Resource.

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1902. The Criminal Records Bureau

The newly-created Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) enables people to declare any criminal convictions to the individuals or organisations that employ them.

Museums and galleries should already have given close consideration to their recruitment policies for employees and volunteers, especially for people who work with children and other vulnerable people. They will now need to decide whether to take advantage of the service offered by the CRB.

The system is based on the employee/volunteer applying to the CRB for disclosure of any criminal record. Each application will be endorsed by or on behalf of the employer (which has to be registered with the CRB) and, depending on the type of position being sought, there will be three levels of check - Basic, Standard and Enhanced. People working with children and other vulnerable people would expect an Enhanced check.

In most cases, there will be a fee payable by the applicant, but the government has recently announced the fee will be waived in the case of volunteers. Small organisations may authorise an umbrella group to act on their behalf, and EmmS is considering organising such a group.

Applications for registration by employers will begin in April, and the first Disclosures will be issued in August. For more information, visit the CRB website at www.crb.gov.uk. Further details of this important initiative will appear in forthcoming issues of HOT NEWS.

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1903. New ACPO Security System Policy

In December 2000, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) recommended that Police Forces implement the revised Security Systems Policy with effect from January 2001. This will have significant implications for museums that have any form of off-site signalled alarm system that involves a police response.

There are three levels of police response:

• Level 1: Immediate
• Level 2: Response desirable but may be delayed
• Level 3: No police attendance; key-holder response only

The new system is intended to reduce the number of false alarms allowable before the police response moves down a level. The new rules are:

• Following two false calls passed to the police in twelve months, the response will move from Level 1 to level 2 (though personal attack signals will remain at level 1)

• Following five false calls in twelve months, the police response will move to Level 3 - i.e. it will be withdrawn. In such cases police response will only be reinstated if the alarm system (irrespective of when it was installed) adds Alarm Confirmation. This requires additional detection methods, such as audio verification or secondary movement detection, to confirm alarm signals at monitoring stations.

If museums are to preclude two false alarms within twelve months, a high standard of system maintenance, and diligent closedown procedures by key-holders, will be required. This change in policy follows a consistent tightening of the parameters for police response to intruder alarms in recent years, and may signal a desire on the part of the police to withdraw from alarm response, leading to alarm companies employing their own mobile response patrols. While the immediate need may be for capital expenditure to upgrade systems to minimise the risk from false alarms, there may be longer-term implications for revenue costs, and the manner in which security is managed within the museum sector.

It should be noted that many Police Forces have indicated that they will be unable to implement the policy immediately, and will phase it in over the following few months. Individual Police Forces also retain the right to vary the policy in their area. Further details are available from Alf Longhurst, Security Adviser or Iain Slessor, Deputy Security Adviser, both at Resource, on (020) 7273 1440 and (020) 7273 1451 respectively.

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1904. Social Exclusion in the East Midlands

A 'state of the region' report has been produced by the Government Office for the East Midlands (GO.EM), to provide a snapshot of Social exclusion in the region. The document attempts to describe the problems suffered by many individuals, families and communities such as poverty, unemployment, lack of education and skills, childhood deprivation, fear of crime and discrimination. A copy is available on the Regional Assembly website, www.eastmidlandsassembly.org.uk For further information contact Melanie Alker, Social Inclusion Team on (0115) 971 2467. Email: malker.goem@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

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1905. European Union's Cultivate Project

A new UK website has been launched by CULTIVATE, a pan-European network for the Digital Heritage Community, funded by the European Commission. The CULTIVATE Project aims to increase awareness of the EC's Information Society Technologies (IST) Programme, and the creation of national-level websites such as this one is part of its work. The CULTIVATE UK site, dedicated to libraries, museums and archives, includes information on UK events, a list of IST cultural heritage projects with UK involvement, and links to official EC information on the Programme. The site can be found at www.uk.cultivate-eu.org

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1906. MA Code of Ethics

The Museums Association has issued a consultation draft of the fourth edition of its Code of Ethics, which is being sent to all members. They are keen to receive as much feedback on this draft as possible. Please forward your comments before 9 March to Ratan Vaswani, Ethics Adviser, at Museums Association, 42 Clerkenwell Close, London, EC1R 0PA. Tel: (020) 7250 1929. Email: ratan@museumsassociation.org

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1907. National Grid for Learning

The National Grid for Learning, at www.ngfl.gov.uk has been given a new look, enabling users to access educational resources more easily. Links to over forty museums, galleries, libraries and archives have been added, and a 'What's New' section directs users to sites that may interest them. Organisations can register their website by clicking on 'Link Your Site' on the NGfL homepage.

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1908. Campaign for Drawing

Drawing Power, the Campaign for Drawing, has announced details of its annual Big Draw on Saturday 20 October, when museums, galleries and other institutions such as hospitals are invited to run drop-in drawing activities or exhibitions for particular targeted audiences. Events can run for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks. The most imaginative projects which engage new audiences in creative activity will also qualify for a Drawing Inspiration Award with prizes of £500. For more details visit the Campaign's website at: www.drawingpower.org.uk

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1909. Adult Learners' Week Grants

Grants of up to £1,000 will be available during Adult Learners' Week, 12 - 18 May, for activities promoting learning opportunities to new groups of learners. To qualify, project organisers must demonstrate that they are reaching European Social Fund target groups, i.e. unemployed people, women 'returners' and groups at risk of exclusion. Projects linked to the Adult Learners' Week themes of languages, education, culture and art, health or learning in the community will be especially welcomed. Organisers will be required to secure 50% match funding. Proposals should be sent by 12 March 2001 to: Campaigns and Promotions/ESF Grants, NIACE, 21 De Monfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE. Tel: (0116) 204 4200. Fax: (0116) 223 0550. Website: www.niace.org.uk/alw

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1910. DCMS / Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund 2001-2

The DCMS / Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund is a partnership between DCMS and The Wolfson Foundation to enhance the facilities and services provided by public libraries in England. Applications are now invited for two funding programmes for 2001-2:

• DCMS Reader Development Programme - enhancing libraries' strength in promoting reading as a skill and pleasure (£2 million).
• Wolfson British History Programme - enhancing libraries' ability to contribute to our nation's understanding and appreciation of its recent history (£1 million).

Applicants must be English public library authorities or regional library systems. Partnerships with other organisations, including museums and archives, are welcomed, but the beneficiaries of funding must be public libraries and their users. The closing date for applications is 30 March 2001. Further details are available from Liz Napier, the Secretary to the Fund Committee, Tel: (020) 7211 6098.

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1911. EmmS Welcomes New Member

The Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre at Laxton, Nottinghamshire, was recently admitted as an Associate Member of the service.

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1912. The Clore Foundation's Small Grants Programme

The Clore Foundation's Small Grants Programme gives grants of £2,000 to £25,000 to help support museum education. The next deadline is 9 March 2001. For details contact (020) 7351 6061. Email: clorefoun@aol.com

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1913. Awards For All

Awards for All, the National Lottery small grants scheme, has been re-launched for 2001. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for community projects. You can apply at any time, the application form is simple and you hear the result quickly. For details contact (0845) 600 20 40. Website: www.awardsforall.org.uk

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1914. Deferred Export of a 17^th Century German Armorial Travelling Desk

The export of a German travelling desk, 1863, has been deferred. This ruling reflects the desk's importance for the study of German Baroque furniture, a subject much under-represented in Britain. The deferral period, until after 16 April 2001, provides an opportunity for purchase at the recommended price of £102,739.72 (plus VAT). The deferral period could be extended until after 16 July 2001 if there is a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase.

Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the above item should contact the owner's agent through the Secretary, the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art, DCMS, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH.

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1915. New Publication

Standards in action: Working with Archaeology has been produced jointly by mda and the Society of Museum Archaeologists to address the needs of the archaeological community. This guide is the first of several planned subject-specific guides to support the SPECTRUM standard. It is designed particularly to support museum curators, those with limited archaeological experience and field archaeologists. The book is priced £15. For details contact: mda, Jupiter House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2JD. Tel: (01223) 315760. Fax: (01223) 362521. Email: kym@mda.org.uk

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1916. Forthcoming Events & Seminars

1 March PRIMARY CURRICULUM UPDATE - GEM, the Group for Education in Museums. This will be a practical day looking at the recent changes to the Primary National Curriculum, exploring how museums can meet the needs of teachers in the classroom and during visits. Venue: Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery. Cost: £5. For details contact Kirsty Sherwood, Tamworth Castle Museum, GEM Midland, The Holloway, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7NA. Tel: (01827) 709632.

14 March DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT - Deafworks. This workshop is open to any organisation that wishes to better understand the DDA, and especially the Act's requirements in the area of deafness. The day will include case studies and problem-solving exercises, aiming to make organisations 'deaf user friendly'. Venue: London. Cost: organisations £120; self-funded £60. For details contact Deafworks, 59 Banner Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1Y 8PX. Tel: (020) 7689 0033. Fax: (020) 7689 1049. email: general@deafworks.co.uk

14 March BASIC ARCHIVES SKILLS PRESERVATION TRAINING DAY - The Archive-Skills Consultancy. This event, part of a series of Basic Archive Skills Training Days, provides participants with a sound overview of basic preservation measures. The afternoon includes a variety of workshops on basic care and repair of paper-based records, and there will be a surgery for damaged paper objects at the end. Venue: London Metropolitan Archives. Cost: £105. For details contact: Margaret Crockett at: The BASTD, May Cottage, Fountayne Road, London N16 7EB. Tel: (020) 7502 6522. Email: theBASTD@hotmail.com

10 - 12 May 24^th AIM ANNUAL CONFERENCE: CROSSING BOUNDARIES - NEW WAYS OF WORKING FOR MUSEUMS - Association of Independent Museums. This conference will explore case studies of collaboration between museums and other organisations, stimulating discussion and promoting ideas for the future. Masterclasses and surgeries will cover topics including access to advice, partnership studies, educational resources on the web, and museums and their communities. There will be a Saturday study tour taking in several museums and attractions in West Sussex. Venue: West Sussex. Costs: start at £35 for AIM members and £55 for non-members for Friday 11 only. For details contact: Diana Rowsell, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, West Sussex PO18 0EU. Tel: (01243) 811464. Email: wealddown@mistral.co.uk

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1917. Congratulations to…

…Neil West and Sue Ryder who have been appointed as temporary conservators at Lincolnshire County Council's Conservation Department.

1918. Farewell & Best Wishes to…

…Joanna Milford, Head of Heritage, Arts & Tourism at Lincolnshire County Council, who is leaving this month to become Director of the Chiltern Open Air Museum.

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CUMULATIVE INDEX No 1 (January 1990) - No 137 (February 2001)

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