Decision

The Cabinet has decided to accept £1,500,817 in external funding for urgent repairs and renewals at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.

Analysis

outcome: The Cabinet recommended that the Council accept the funding and approved the investment in the project outcomes.

summary: The decision involves accepting external funding of £1,500,817 from Arts Council England for urgent repairs and renewals at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.

topline: The Cabinet has decided to accept £1,500,817 in external funding for urgent repairs and renewals at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves external funding and approval of a project over £1 million by the full Council.

affected_stakeholders: ["Arts Council England", "BCP Council", "Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum"]

contentiousness_score: 6

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=843

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To accept the grant of £1,500,817 from ACE MEND Fund for the urgent repair of the Russell-Cotes

Content: RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: - (a)           recommends Council to accept the £1,500,817 from Arts Council England MEND Round 4 and delegates authority to the Director of Customer & Property to complete the formal acceptance process on behalf of the Council (b)          notes the match funding of £250,000 from CIL and £109,317 from restricted legacies; and (c)          approves their investment in the project outcomes of urgent repairs and renewals outlined in the application to ACE Voting: Unanimous Portfolio Holder: Customer, Communications and Culture Reason Financial Regulations require the acceptance of external funding and approval of any project over £1million by full Council. ACE require Cabinet approval before payment can be made. The grant will be spent on urgent remedial maintenance of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum (of which BCP Council is sole trustee) to ensure it can remain open and survive.  

Date of Decision: May 13, 2025