Issue - meetings

To consider the update of the Heritage Services Business Plan 2026-2031.

Cllr Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

• The Heritage Services Team continues to demonstrate strong leadership and entrepreneurial management of the Council’s key cultural assets.
• Council assets include the Roman Baths, Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Records Office, Clore Learning Centre, and the World Heritage Centre.

• The Victoria Art Gallery recorded 60,000 visitors in the past year.
• The Pump Room Restaurant received a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, placing it in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.
• The Roman Baths was awarded Tripadvisor’s 2025 ‘Best of the Best’, ranked 7th among UK attractions.

• Heritage Services continues to deliver excellent financial returns.
• The income generated reduces residents’ annual Council Tax bills by approximately £160.  This has supported B&NES in maintaining the second-lowest Council Tax rates in the South West.
• The expected 2026/27 surplus of £13.261m is driven by steady visitor growth, investment in staff, prudent management, and innovation.

• Business planning has accounted for known risks but predates the recent escalation in Middle East conflicts.
• The war involving Iran and wider regional instability may impact global and domestic travel, potentially influencing future visitor numbers.

• Heritage Services has launched a pioneering Sustainability Action Plan, which is among the first of its kind for UK museums.
• The Plan outlines steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions over three years and develop a pathway to net zero.  This supports the Council’s broader climate and ecological priorities.

• Bath holds a world-class fashion collection, and the Council is delivering a new, internationally significant fashion museum, set to open in 2030.
• Expected benefits include:
  • Job creation
  • Community outreach
  • Economic growth
  • Stronger university and stakeholder partnerships
  • Longer visitor stays and reduced day?trip pressure on the city.

• New cultural infrastructure follows the model of landmark UK museums (e.g., Hepworth, Lowry, V&A Dundee) and is expected to drive civic pride and local economic development.

Cllr Manda Rigby seconded the motion and made the following points:

• The council has a responsibility to conserve and enhance heritage assets for the community’s benefit.

• Heritage is not elitist and it has an ability to broaden horizons, bring diverse communities together, and address inequalities.  It must be accessible to all residents, particularly those facing disadvantage.
  Heritage Services is leveraging the global profile of the Roman Baths to expand access, opportunities, and learning.

• The Roman Baths Youth Forum provides young people aged 16–25 with exposure to careers in heritage, archaeology, and museums.  It aims to build skills, confidence, and pathways to higher education and entry-level roles.
• The Bath Carers Centre has a long-standing collaboration offering respite and wellbeing activities for both adult and young carers (5–17).
• A partnership with Blind Veterans UK was launched in 2025, delivering adapted creative and wellbeing activities, with programming shaped by participant feedback.

• B&NES Children’s Services offers structured work experience placements for care-experienced young people.
• There are plans to introduce £1 tickets for visitors receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91