Issue - meetings

To consider the joint report of the Museum Manager and Assistant Director Economy.

The Museums Manager presented the report, which sought Members’ support for a new mechanism for dealing with storage of archaeological finds and records as a result of excavations funded by developers within the city. The demise of Exeter Archaeology had left a legacy of undeposited archives in the Council’s care and the Museum’s current storage arrangements had now reached their limit. A number of storage options were presented including moving the current archaeological archive into a longer term “deep-store”, (using an adapted former salt-mine) to extend and make better use of two leased warehouses, and a final option for a mixed use of both using one of the warehouses and the deep-store solution.

The following responses were given to Members:-

·                The Senior Collections Officer confirmed that more important material was retained as part of the Museum’s collection, but other material already identified for deep-store was the responsibility of the developer.  The Museums Manager advised that the cost of a storage box at the proposed Deepstore facility in Cheshire was approximately £1.20 a year. Producing a list of the material deposited at Deepstore would be the responsibility of the developer as part of the archiving process.

·                Conditions of planning permission gave developers responsibility for rescuing archaeological material ‘at risk’ ensuring that such material was appropriately stored, and made publicly available.  The Chief Executive & Growth Director added that this level of material was not of sufficient quality to retain in the Museum’s store.  Future technology may allow some extraction of information allowing further academic research at a later date. 

·                The Museums Manager explained that 47 other authorities had closed their doors to storing lower grade material.  The solution proposed by the Council in this report was likely to be of interest to others in a similar position.  There had been a great deal of interest in how Exeter had dealt with this issue. 

·                The Portfolio Holder Economy and Culture reminded Members that the Council would not wish to keep most of the material, and the developers were legally obliged to ensure ongoing funding for storage under planning conditions.

A Member also sought reassurance that, should there be any significant finds during the anticipated development of the Bus and Coach Station site, the Museum would be able to offer suitable storage. The Museums Manager stated that exceptional material would always be dealt with accordingly. Following a comment on the Ark, the Museums Manager extended an invitation to Members to see the Council’s principal store of museum artefacts.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report and recommended that Executive support the new mechanism for dealing with developer-funded archaeological archives since January 2011, and also future material and agreed that Option 2, as set out in the circulated report, be pursued.