Agenda item

The Joint Committee received a report from the Assistant Director, Engagement that gave an update on Museum business (for copy see file of Minutes).

Performance – The Museum were 17% up on visitor numbers and 15% up on admissions income from the previous year up to the end of September 2013.  Visitor numbers were very good in October despite the poor weather and on 2 November 2013 the Museum passed the milestone of 500,000 visitors.  A review of catering and retail is taking place.  Attendances had been excellent at the Halloween and Bonfire Night events with all evenings sold out.  All evenings for the Christmas event had also sold out.

The Assistant Director highlighted the following:-

·        2014 Opening Times and Events List

·        IIP has been awarded following a review on site

·        0-37 hour contracts – a review has taken place with managers & team leaders trained to distribute hours fairly.  The Assistant Director advised the Committee that the Board had agreed a new rate of pay for manual workers and as their skills developed their pay would increase on a points system

·        Review of Governance – waiting for Local Authorities to agree the revised memorandum/ articles of association.  The first Regional Stakeholder Group was held on 25 October with good participation from across the region.  Apologies were given to Mr Dix as he had not received an invitation to the meeting.  The Chairman said that the membership of the group was not set in stone and would be flexible to respond to the needs of the Museum and the culture of the region.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.