Decision details

The report recommended the adoption of three policy statements of best practice for museums and archives in respect of Accessibility, the revised Museums Association ‘Code of Ethics for Museums’ and a Research Framework for Heritage Services.

The Cabinet Member agreed to the adoption of:

a)  The Access Statements for Bath Record Office, Fashion Museum, Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery;

b)  The Museums Association’s revised ‘Code of Ethics for Museums’;

c)  The Heritage Services Research Framework.

Adopting these policies will keep the authority in line with best practice and maintain its reputation as a good custodian of important museum and archive collections. Without ‘access statements’ the ‘Accredited’ status of the Council’s museums and archives would be jeopardised. Loss of ‘Accredited’ status would render the museums and archives ineligible for grant-aid from numerous sources. It would mean that the Council’s museums no longer attain the minimum national standards for museums and they would lose credibility in their community leadership role amongst the many other museums on Bath and North East Somerset.

None.