| Topic: | Re:Re:A real centre of culture | |
| Posted by: | Jonathan Callaway | |
| Date/Time: | 10/01/07 22:05:00 |
| A response to Malcolm Grimston's most recent post: You ask me and others for their proposals on how the £400,000 cost of the musuem could be covered by savings elsewhere. I would respond by saying (again) that I am not convinced it is as simple as lopping that amount off the council's annual spending. Firstly, that figure needs validating, secondly, we need to know the cost of any alternative, thirdly, what proportion of the total budget is actually involved here - i.e. just how much of the council's budget problem will be solved by closing the museum? As to possible solutions, I very much like Fraser Pearce's idea of combining the musuem with the West Hill library and the De Morgan Centre to create a new cultural centre - just how much would that boost the Council's image?? Why not cost that out and see what people think? As to the 'value' of the museum, I am also very persuaded by the picture of its success, as seen through the eyes of its peers and in comparison to other municipal museums, painted by Valerie Bott. She should be in a position to judge, as its first curator. There does seem to be support for a "Friends of the Museum" organisation, which would certainly bring some cash in. But it might be helpful in this context to know - how much would it cost each council taxpayer if you could simply add the museum's annual running cost to their council tax bills? - how much would these Friends have to contribute to make the council change its mind about closing the museum? 100% of £400,000? 10%? 25%? I am not sure people will contribute if it just allows a penny-pinching council to walk away from a valuable amenity, just to help balance the books at no cost to taxpayers who might be prepared to pay some of that cost if asked. In my opinion this is not just about balancing the books but is more about properly valuing cultural assets which cannot easily be replaced once lost. |