Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Health, Culture and Visitor Experience Decision Meeting

Outcome: Information Only

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 25, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Head of Economic Development and Communities introduced the report and clarified that deaccessioning refers to the lawful removal of an object from a museum’s collections.   The formal deaccession process, under which these decisions were being considered, was approved by Cabinet on 9 January 2025.   The following articles were proposed for deaccession:   a)            LB528 Swathe-Turner – Agricultural Machinery   This piece has been held off-site at the Science Museum’s National Collections Centre in Wroughton since 1981. The Science Museum has requested a permanent transfer and has demonstrated its ability to act as a responsible custodian.   Recommendation: Approve the deaccession and transfer, as the Science Museum is a more suitable location than the Corinium Museum, which primarily focuses on archaeology.   b)            LO X093 – Eastbury Christening Gowns   These gowns were originally stored in the museum until the donor requested their loan for a local display, where they have since remained. Under the museum’s current policy, such items would not be accepted today.   Recommendation: approve the deaccession of the gowns with return to the donor.   c)            Sly Collection – Hats from the Cotswold Countryside Collection   The collection consists of various hats donated to the now-closed Cotswold Countryside Collection. As the Corinium Museum has an archaeological focus, retaining the hats is no longer appropriate.   Recommendation: De-accession and return of the collection to the donor’s representative.   The Head of Economic Development and Communities confirmed that all three deaccession requests met the necessary criteria outlined in the formal process.