Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from O Bone, Councillor D Buck, L Bavin, P Eke, H Jackson and Councillor Mrs  J Westrop.

The Committee is invited to confirm as a correct record the notes of the previous meeting.

The notes from the meeting held on 3 September 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising.

None.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor Chenery declared an interest as a trustee of the Norfolk Records Office Charity.

To consider the King’s Lynn Museum Report.

The Assistant Head of Museums tabled a copy of the Norfolk Museums Service Annual Review 2017/2018 which had been circulated to the Committee.  The Committee was advised that the Annual Review gave a useful overview of the broad range of activities undertaken across the Norfolk Museums.

The Committee was informed that HLF funding of £8.5m had been awarded to the Keep Project at Norwich Castle.  It was noted that match funding was in place and Hannah Jackson, Western Area Manager had been appointed the Project Manager role on a two year secondment.  Andrew Smith would be undertaking the Western Area Manager role.  The Assistant Head of Museums advised that regular updates would be received by the Committee. 

The Assistant Head of Museums presented the report which provided information on the King’s Lynn Museum activities for the period August to October 2018

The visitor numbers audited up to 31 October 2018 were tabled and discussed.  The Assistant Head of Museums advised that:

·         Heritage Open Day in 2018 – an increase of 593 visitors to the Lynn Museum compared to 2017.

·         Across the Norfolk Museums there had been a significant increase in the number of visitors to date on Heritage Open Days in 2018 across the two weekends.

·         1,600 increase in visitors to Lynn Museum from the same period in 2017.

The Assistant Head of Museums responded to questions relating to:

·         The bronze and iron age specifically in relation to Seahenge.

·         Mini-Museum Club aimed at the under 5s.  In response to a question from the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds regarding consultation with adults on the frequency of the Mini-Museum Club, the Assistant Head of Museums undertook to check if a consultation exercise had been undertaken.

·         The potential for a club for the older children.  It was noted that as part of the HLF’s national Kick in the Dust programme a four year project to encourage participation from young people aged 11 to 25 in museum activities.  Examples were given of previous work undertaken with young people (NEET). 

·         Coffee, Cake and Collections coffee morning – well received and good attendance levels. It was noted that residents from local care homes had attended.  Members were informed that as part of the funded outreach programme visits had been made to care homes.

·         Seahenge conference 10 November 2018.  Sell out event with 67 people attending.

·         World War 1 Raids – the Assistant Curator advised that that information was available in the archives.

·         Success of the South Gate project.  The Assistant Curator explained that a company had been commissioned to supply footage to be available on tablets, app, website or display boards, for those visitors who were not able to go upstairs.

·         Arrangements for requesting loan collections from the British Museum.

·         Lynn Museum Sunday opening had attracted on average between 20 and 30 visitors each Sunday.

·         Rachael Williams, Learning and Engagement Officer – post had been extended for a period of 12 months with funding from the Borough Council..

·         Analysis undertaken on the visitor numbers.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented the report which provided updates for the Area Museums Committee on tourism marketing and development activities from January to December 2018.

In response to question regarding the digital version of the printed brochure appearing upside down when viewing, the Chairman undertook to take the comment back to the Tourism Officer.

The Committee was informed that the print run had been reduced, but that the importance of having printed copies available was highlighted.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds reminded Members that a Tourism Update was being presented to the Regeneration and Development Panel on 11 December 2018.

AGREED:  That the report be noted.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented the report circulated with the Agenda and responded to questions relating to:

·         Reference to the display on the first floor of Marriott’s Warehouse and reference to older buildings in King’s Lynn.  The Chairman explained that there was a one-page information sheet available to visitors and that the Stories of Lynn App also promoted Marriott’s Warehouse.

AGREED:  That the report be noted.

4 March 2019, 2.15 pm, Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn

17 June 2019, 2.15 pm, Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn

23 September 2019, 2.15 pm, Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn

9 December 2019, 2.15 pm, Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn

To note the date of the next meeting is 4 March 2019, 2.15 pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee would be held on Monday 4 March 2019 at 2.15 pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.