Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Borough Councillor Lintern, Oliver Bone, Curator of the Lynn Museum and Lindsey Bavin, Manager of True’s Yard Museum.

To approve the minutes from the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee held on 12^th January 2026.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12^th January 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising.

There were no matters arising.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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The Operations Manager, Assistant Head of Museums and Learning and Engagement Officer presented the report on the King’s Lynn Museum activities in the period from January to February 2026.  A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the following areas of the report:

1)    Exhibitions and events at Lynn Museum

1.1  Current Exhibition May the Toys Be with You

1.2  Forthcoming Exhibition: “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” (working title)

1.3  Family events

1.4  Family Trails

1.5  Mini Museum

County Councillor Chenery of Horsbrugh referred to the farmyard-themed event in the monthly Mini Museum programme and asked whether it explored modern or traditional farmyards.  The Operations Manager explained that, as the session was designed for children under five, the focus was on experiences with farmyard animals rather than farmyard mechanics.

Councillor de Whalley referred to the forthcoming “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” exhibition and asked whether any complementary online or social media content would accompany it. The Operations Manager confirmed that digital content, including social media and the collections website, would support the exhibition.

County Councillor Bambridge referred to the forthcoming “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” exhibition and asked if there would be any sort of subject theming.  The Operations Manager reported that the final list was being drawn up which would help inform how the exhibition design all comes together.

The Chair commented that staff at the new King’s Lynn library would welcome displaying items from the forthcoming “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” exhibition.  The Chair also asked whether children were charged for visiting the Lynn Museum.  The Assistant Head of Museums confirmed there was a general admission charge for children and clarified that the museum offered free admission from October to March, that under fours were always free, and that free admission for households on means tested benefits would be introduced in April.

The Committee’s attention was drawn further to the following areas of the report:

1.6  Coffee Mornings

1.7  Talks Programme

1.8  Workshops

1.9  Forthcoming events

Councillor Kybird asked whether the Savage Brothers were the same family associated with a department store in Thetford.  The Assistant Head of Museums commented that a family connection was possible and added that the Savages’ link with King’s Lynn was through steam engineering.

Councillor Ward referred to the Lynn Museum event held for National Lottery Open Week and asked for attendance figures.  The Operations Manager advised that she did not have the exact numbers to hand but reported a significant increase in uptake across the service, with Gressenhall receiving more than 1,700 visitors over its two free?admission days.

Councillor Kemp referred to the Natural Paints and Pigments Workshop and asked if Woad face painting was featured in the workshop.  The Operations Manager advised she would check and commented that this was something which could be incorporated.

The Committee’s attention was drawn further to the following areas of the report:

2)    Newman Legacy project

3)    Other Museum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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County Councillor Bambridge presented the report in the absence of the Museum Curator at True’s Yard.  A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

County Councillor Bambridge reported on operational challenges which included staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers and the impact of weather on visitor numbers whilst also highlighting upcoming events and ongoing efforts to maintain and promote the museum.

The Chair asked whether the part?time staff were paid or volunteers, and it was confirmed that they were paid.

In response to a question from Councillor de Whalley, the Assistant Head of Museums explained that there were administrative complexities around joint ticketing or discounted offers between the Lynn Museum, Stories of Lynn and True’s Yard, but confirmed they were always open to collaborative marketing and discount promotions.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

The visitor figures for the period December to February 2026 were noted.  A copy of the visitor figures is attached to the minutes.

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The Committee noted discussions on local government reorganisation and devolution were on hold until after the elections with decisions expected to be communicated to the relevant councils in due course.

To consider any additional items for the next Agenda.

There were none identified at the meeting.

To agree the Schedule of Meetings for 2026/2027.

RESOLVED: The schedule of meetings for 2026/2027 were agreed and noted.

Councillor Ward proposed the Committee visit the new exhibition “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” at the Lynn Museum before their next meeting.

It was agreed that the Committee would visit the “Unboxed: Discovering Lynn’s Collections” Exhibition prior to a future meeting.

Subject to the Schedule of Meetings for 2026/2027 being agreed, the next meeting of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee is to be scheduled in June 2026.

The next meeting of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee was scheduled to take place on 8^th June 2026 at 2.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.