The Keats House Consultative Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 30 April 2026 to review achievements at Keats House and discuss outstanding actions. The meeting's agenda also included noting a report on the activities at Keats House between April and September 2025.

Achievements at Keats House April - September 2025

A report was scheduled to be presented for information, detailing the achievements at Keats House between April and September 2025. This report, authored by Rob Shakespeare, Head of Heritage & Museums, Natural Environment, was intended to update members on the activities undertaken in line with the Keats House Activities Plan 2025/26. The plan itself aims to contribute to the City of London Corporation's Corporate Plan 2024-29, focusing on areas such as Diverse Engaged Communities, Vibrant Thriving Destination, and Flourishing Public Spaces.

The report was expected to highlight various initiatives, including the Keats House 100 exhibition celebrating the centenary of the house opening as a museum, which ran until April 2026. Visitor numbers for the period April 2025 to March 2026 were reported as 8,283, an 8% increase on the previous year. Public events, school sessions, and collaborations with organisations like the Poetry Society and the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association were also to be noted.

The report was also scheduled to cover the ongoing work on the premises, including surveys and planned maintenance for the Grade I listed Keats House and the Grade II listed Ten Keats Grove, which houses the Keats Community Library. Specific projects mentioned included the restoration of the Conservatory and veranda, and works to the perimeter fencing and entrance gate. The report was to be presented to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee on 18 May 2026.

Outstanding Actions

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Clerk regarding outstanding actions from previous meetings. This report, available in the KHCC Actions updated Oct 25 document, would provide updates on various items. These included the submission of a Keats House condition survey with costings for maintenance and repairs, and the provision of a copy of the lease to the Chair and Deputy Chair.

Further updates were expected on tree management to reduce the risk of tree falls, with the report noting that urgent works to reduce the ash tree crown had been completed in March 2026, reducing the risk score to Amber. The annual tree survey for 2026 was also due. Additionally, the report was to clarify with the City Surveyor's Department the maintenance and repair priority list, with a schedule of works for 2026/27 having been drawn up, commencing with repairs to the Keats House Conservatory and veranda.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2025. These minutes, available in the 251031 KHCC draft minutes document, would record the proceedings of that earlier meeting.

Next Meeting

The date and location of the next meeting were scheduled to be confirmed as 30 October 2026 at Guildhall, with a lunch to be held at 1pm prior to the 2pm meeting.