Councillor issues warning about future of Ashby Museum grant - after District Council withdraws cuts threat

By Graham Hill

24th Feb 2024 | Local News

Ashby Museum in North Street. Photo: Ashby Nub News
Ashby Museum in North Street. Photo: Ashby Nub News

An Ashby councillor says the town's museum grant's reprieve is not a permanent arrangement.

Cllr Dave Bigby made the comment at North West Leicestershire District Council's full council meeting last night (Thursday) after it was confirmed that the North Street venue's £1,500 yearly funding would not be part of the authority's cuts.

He was speaking as part of a Labour motion amending the council's Alliance-led budget, and responded to Liberal Democrat Councillor Michael Wyatt who highlighted Conservative councillor Kenny Horn and Ashby resident, Martin Cooper, for supporting the Museum.

Cllr Wyatt said: "I'd like to thank Cllr Horn and Martin Cooper, who put forward a genuine case not to cut this grant."

Ashby Museum will continue to receive the funding, but Cllr Bigby warned this was an issue that may come up again in the future.

Cllr Dave Bigby warned the Museum grant could come under threat again in the future. Photo: Ashby de la Zouch Town Council

The Labour councillor told the meeting: "Cllr Wyatt sang the praises of Cllr Horn and Mr Cooper for preventing the cuts to Ashby Museum.

"I'd like to remind him that your budget doesn't prevent the cuts to Ashby Museum, it delays them for a year, then half of the second year and half of the third year.

"Our budget will prevent the cuts to Ashby Museum permanently."

Another Labour councillor, Whitwick-based Peter Moult added: "I'd like to thank the Alliance for allowing the Labour group to consult on the budget, although, ultimately we didn't agree, we did achieve agreement on the return of the funding for Ashby Museum."

Cllr Bigby had already described the prospect of taking money from the Museum as 'a ridiculously penny-pinching cut'.

Cllr Michael Wyatt praised Cllr Kenny Horn and Martin Cooper for helping to save the Ashby Museum grant. Photo: North West Leicestershire District Council

In December, Ashby de la Zouch Town Council leader, Cllr Chris Smith, said: "I was very disappointed to see the District Council proposal to stop their £1,500 annual grant to the Ashby Museum.

"This is a very short-sighted and mean spirited proposal.

"It will have an impact on the museum completely out of proportion to the benefit to the overall financial position of the District Council.

"The Museum is a huge asset to Ashby: the extensive recording and displaying of artifacts; the educational work with young and old; and the visitors attracted to the town. The museum has won many accolades (Leicestershire museum of the year ) and recently reconfirmed its full Accreditation Status by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Ashby councillor Kenny Horn made a case for maintaining the Museum's grant. Photo: Ashby Nub News

"Run solely run by volunteers, the museum is highly dependent on grant funding.

"They have relied on the £1,500 grant for nearly two decades (it has never increased) as a major input for their utilities bill. They would need an extra 1,000 adult visitors a year for its equivalent income."

     

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