Appeal for more scrutiny over museums service
FURTHER scrutiny has been called for on discussions around the future of Museums Northumberland.
At a meeting of the Northumberland County Council’s cabinet last week, it was revealed that the council is exploring new ways of delivering the county’s museum service. Museums Northumberland currently operates sites across the county, including the Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Hexham’s Old Gaol and Morpeth’s Chantry Bagpipe Museum.
The report looked at a number of different options and concluded that two “headline” options remained – to outsource the service to a charitable trust or other not-for profit organisation – or to bring the service in-house.
The in-house options also included a partnership approach with other local authorities. However, much of the discussion at cabinet took place in private session.
Speaking at the meeting, Coun Jeff Watson said: “The purpose of this report is to give an update on where we are and what we are doing. The recommendations will be in private so I can’t discuss the outcome. Hopefully we will be happy to see the way forward provided by this report.”
The rest of the discussion was held privately, with the council explaining that this was due to the fact it contained “information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person”.
Coun Scott Dickinson, leader of the Labour opposition group on the county council, called for more transparency on the discussions. He said: “We are being locked out of decision making on huge, strategic county issues once again – by a minority administration.”
Independent Berwick councillor Coun Georgina Hill said: “This process is completely devoid of any transparency, proper scrutiny or consultation.”
Council leader Glen Sanderson insisted opposition members would have a chance to scrutinise decisions.