Oddity of Newark town museum, which has operated illegally for 22 years
Newark Town Council has been operating a museum illegally for more than 20 years, it has emerged.
It discovered it was in breach of the Local Government Act 1972, which defines local authorities for the purposes of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, and does not extend to town or parish councils.
This means the council does not, as a matter of law, have the ability to run an accredited museum and gallery in the Town Hall, which has operated for 22 years.
The irregularity was picked up when investigations were being done surrounding the town council’s joint purchase of the Buttermarket with the district council.
Alan Mellor, the clerk to the town council, who was not in post at the time the museum and gallery were created, said it was an oddity.
“People presumed they had the power, but they didn’t,” he said.
“That continued for more than 20 years.
“No external audit ever raised it and no-one ever raised a challenge to it until it came to my attention.
“It’s a quirk in the legislation and a formality to resolve.”
It will be proposed at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s policy and finance committee tonight that it should continue as a museum.
It is suggested the district council formally delegates the town council the ability to keep Newark Town Museum and Spotlight Gallery open.
The delegation will be conditional upon the museum continuing to maintain its accredited status, with any significant changes to be discussed and agreed first with the district council.
In his report, Matt Lamb, director of growth and regeneration at the district council, said: “The Town Hall Museum has operated for many years and there is no desire to remove or prejudice the ability of Newark Town Council to continue to run this offer.
“The district and town council have a proud record of working collaboratively and I see no reason why this would not continue.
“I support the proposed delegation and that this be conditional upon retaining accreditation and agreement to any significant changes to the current demise and content.”
Accreditation through the Arts Council sets nationally-agreed standards for museums of all sizes across the UK, and is a mark of professionalism.
READ MORE:
More than 700 care leavers to travel in convoy to theme park
