Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1) endorse the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) Business Plan;

(2) grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture & Tourism, to apply to Arts Council England for the additional year’s funding (2026-27); and

(3) authorise the Council to enter into the 2026-27 funding agreement with Arts Council England, should the application for funding be successful.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Councillor Wright left the room for duration of this item.

The Executive received the report on the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) business plan, following an extension from Arts Council England (ACE) for its funding period for National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) by one year. The RAMM was an NPO and therefore was entitled by the ACE to apply for a one-year funding extension period up to 31 March 2027. Particular reference was made to the funding application, which if successful would result in an additional income of £619,000.

The Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture & Tourism advised that the exact amount of additional income would be £618,363 and that the Council would not be spending any of its own money and applying for the extension would generate this income for the RAMM.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which was seconded by Councillor Foale, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1) endorse the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) Business Plan;

(2) grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture & Tourism, to apply to Arts Council England for the additional year’s funding (2026-27); and

(3) authorise the Council to enter into the 2026-27 funding agreement with Arts Council England, should the application for funding be successful.