Purpose

To consider a request by Hampshire Cultural Trust for a variation to the current management agreement held with Fareham Borough Council in respect of Westbury Manor Museum.

In June 2016, the Executive approved a new 10-year management agreement (2017-2027) for the lease of Westbury Manor to Hampshire Cultural Trust for the provision of a museum service.

The agreement included investment of £448,000 by the Council towards the refurbishment of Westbury Manor Museum to improve its condition, amenities and the overall visitor experience.  In exchange for the capital investment, the contribution previously made by the Council towards the cost of operating the Museum ended and Hampshire Cultural Trust agreed to operate the Museum without any ongoing financial contribution from the Council.

In response to the impact of Covid and the current economic climate, Hampshire Cultural Trust have undertaken a review of all 24 venues that it manages across Hampshire, with focus on the venues for which no local authority funding is received.

This has resulted in a request for a variation to the management agreement.

Decision

It is recommended that the Executive agrees that there is no variation to the management agreement.