York Museums Trust (YMT) – York Council publishes review

Taxi-to-York-Castle-MuseumExecutive members will be asked to approve recommendations arising from a York Museums Trust (YMT) Scrutiny Review at a meeting on Thursday 28 April.

The recommendations are proposed in a report from the Learning & Culture Policy & Scrutiny Committee to the Executive. The report was informed by a task group which reviewed the legal framework and the funding arrangements between City of York Council and YMT. This review aims to ensure long-term confidence in the council’s commitment to the Trust and proposes a robust framework to secure the commitment of the Arts Council and other funders and investors.

The report makes a number of recommendations regarding the council’s future financial contribution to YMT, based on four key elements – common objectives, agreed reporting mechanisms, a long term financial plan and a projected capital development plan. Recommendations also include proposals for the future arrangements for the conservation and protection of the Trusts’ collections, as well as ensuring that YMT can operate as an effective, business-like charity.

Legal advice will be sought to identify the best approach for the charitable framework and to establish whether the existing scheme can be extended or whether a new scheme is required.

The report acknowledges the outstanding achievement of YMT, operating with reduced local authority funding due to financial pressures, in comparison to other such organisations across the country which are.

If the recommendations are adopted, the process to agree the council’s grant to YMT for 2017/18 and beyond will begin.

Executive takes place on Thursday 28 March from 5.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=8848