The Joint Museums Committee met on Thursday, 5 March 2026, to review performance and financial reports, discuss the service plan for the upcoming year, and consider the future work programme. The meeting's agenda included updates on visitor numbers and income, as well as proposals for the 2026-27 service plan and budget.

Quarters 2 and 3 Performance Report 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to review the performance information for the second and third quarters of the 2025-26 financial year. The report indicated that the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum had seen a shift in its business model, with a move towards charging for temporary exhibitions while long-term displays remained free. Visitor numbers for the summer exhibitions were lower than in previous years, with the I Grew Up 90s exhibition attracting fewer visitors than anticipated. However, the autumn exhibition, Designing Terry Pratchett's Discworld, saw an increase in visitors. The report also highlighted a dip in informal learning participation during the summer, though bookable family workshops were sold out. For the summer 2026 exhibition, 54321 FAB!, a voluntary donation model was planned. The Worcestershire County Museum was also undergoing changes in its management structure, and a dip in visitor numbers was attributed to a gallery closure for maintenance.

Quarter 3 Finance Report 2025-26

The financial monitoring details for the period ending 31 December 2025 were presented. The forecast year-end position for the city-hosted teams indicated a surplus of £24,899. The report detailed revenue budget performance for both Worcester City Hosting and County Hosting, with explanations for major variances. A grant from the Museums Renewal Fund was noted as having enabled the development of new income streams and supported core staff costs. The report also outlined budget revisions for 2026-27, including proposed contributions from Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council, and noted an increase in the income target for City Museums as part of a wider savings plan. The value of the Joint Museum general reserve at the end of Quarter 3 was £251,527.

Museums Worcestershire Service Plan 2026-27

The committee was asked to approve the service work plan for 2026-27, which was based on the Museums Worcestershire Strategic Plan 2025-2030. The plan proposed the opening of three new spaces in 2026-27: the British Impressionism Gallery and the Learning Centre at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, and a second escape room at The Commandery. The report also noted the impact of the City Council's draft Medium Term Financial Plan on the Joint Museums Service budget, which included proposed increased fee income targets for the City Museums. The plan was designed to align with the Museums Accreditation Standard, with potential revisions to policies and plans anticipated before the next re-accreditation submission.

Joint Museums Committee Work Programme

The committee was presented with its future work programme for 2026-27. This programme was informed by the 2025-30 Strategic Plan and the requirement for museums to submit re-accreditation applications to Arts Council England in August 2026. The anticipated items for future meetings included the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair, annual review and performance reports, finance monitoring, major projects updates, and the adoption of any required new or updated policies related to accreditation and designation. Members were invited to consider if any additional items should be incorporated into the work programme.