The MLAs Accreditation Committee met in May to consider the plans by Bolton Museum Service to sell items from its non-core collections. The planned sales are to provide funds to make collections more accessible to the public. Following the meeting the Committee was pleased to be able to confirm Bolton will maintain full Accredited Status.
The Committee concluded that the management at Bolton Museums have acted within the remit of the Accreditation Standard’s financially motivated disposals requirements.
The Committee acknowledged that Bolton had planned carefully and correctly in making its decision and acknowledged the difficult circumstances in which many museum authorities are now working. The Committee also made a series of recommendations to Bolton concerning the procedure and asked to stay fully informed on progress.
Glen Lawes, Chairman of the Accreditation Committee, said: "The Committee deemed the sale compliant with Accreditation and while the disposal process is financially motivated, it was consistent with Bolton Museum's wider strategic activities. We were reassured that any proceeds will be utilised in a manner compliant with Accreditation. We realise that in these difficult economic times some museums services may be considering sales. It is important that the Accreditation Committee considers each case in detail and ensures any proposals adhere to the principles and procedures of Accreditation”.
Notes for editors
Management of the Accreditation Scheme is set to transfer to Arts Council England from 1 October 2011.