Agenda item

Purpose of Report

To confirm to Executive the finalised proposals in relation to the ongoing operation of the Usher Art Gallery together with the safe storage, conservation and display of the city council’s art and artefacts. The proposals had been developed following extensive further negotiations with Lincolnshire County Council and a range of external stakeholders.

Decision

(1)  That the proposed agreement negotiated with Lincolnshire County Council, as detailed in the report, be approved.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Director of Communities and Environment, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to agree minor changes, which did not alter the overall position as set out in sections 3 and 4 of the report, and then enter into the necessary contractual arrangements for a revised lease, Collections Management Agreement and Service Level Agreement with Lincolnshire County Council.

(3)  That officers be instructed to transfer material within the archaeological collections to Lincolnshire County Council. Such material being that discovered outside the current city boundaries but within the wider Lincolnshire footprint. 

(4)  That officers be instructed to bring a further report back to Executive detailing the proposals relating to the rationalisation of the city’s artefacts.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Extensive negotiations had been ongoing over the last three years with Lincolnshire County Council in attempts to secure the future of the Usher Gallery as an art gallery. Alternative options had previously been explored by the Executive.  

Reasons for the Decision

Senior officers of the City Council had negotiated extensively with Lincolnshire County Council over several years to secure the future of the Usher Art Gallery as an art gallery.

At a meeting on 18 June 2021 an outline proposal was agreed in principle by both councils over the future operation of the Usher Art Gallery, as set out in sections 3 and 4 of the report, subject to the signing of the detailed supporting legal agreements.

These proposals had the full support of a range of stakeholders including: the Historic Lincoln Trust, led by Lord Cormack; Usher Gallery Trust; and Save Lincoln Usher Gallery, a high-profile pressure group established to campaign for the retention of the Usher Art Gallery as an art gallery.

The full negotiated position for the Usher Gallery and the storage and care of the City Council’s art and artefacts was set out on pages 18 and 19 of the agenda pack.  However, it was highlighted that the negotiated positions involved a lease to the County Council for the Usher Gallery to remain open as an art gallery on average five days a week and for storage and care of the City Council’s large collection of art and artefacts.

Both councils were to explore external funding bids to invest in transforming The Collection Museum building and Usher Gallery to create a sense of one location across the two sites.

The only financial implication for the City Council associated with the new agreements related to the cost of operating the Usher Gallery for two additional days per week throughout the year.  The final cost would be negotiated by the Director of Communities and Environment within the budget provision already allocated in the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the Usher Gallery.