Summary of meeting with Southwark Council

The Friends met with Nick Stanton, leader of Southwark Council, on 3 March 2008.  Here’s the summary:

Present

Cllr Nick Stanton, Southwark Council – NS

For The Friends

Emma Brooker – EB, Bridget McKenzie – BMcK, Rebecca Birch – RB, Nicola Prior – NP, Elizabeth Wilkinson – EW

Agenda, Introductions and Aim of the Meeting

The Friends introduced their proposal to work in partnership with Southwark Council to ensure that the museum can continue its work at the present site with outside funding. There was a discussion as to whether the museum could be housed elsewhere, which was rejected by the Friends.

NS informed the Friends that as the building is likely to be declared surplus to requirements, the Council would be under a duty to dispose of it or lease it for a commercial rent. Planning restrictions mean that the building must be used for community purposes and the most likely purchaser would be a faith group.

 

1. The Friends’ Proposal

The Friends presented their proposals to incorporate a company limited by guarantee which would then be registered as a charity. This organisation would run the museum and would be supported by a members association.

The Friends presented a document entitled “The Feasibility of an Independent Livesey Museum for Children” which summarised the opportunities and challenges for the proposed organisation. It included information about potential for funding.

There was a discussion about the funding already identified – from Peckham community council and the 3 offers of funding from other charities (identities of which were not able to be disclosed).

1. Nick Stanton’s response

NS’s main concern about the Friends’ proposals was the need to secure and maintain the building during any period of developing a fully funded proposal.

The Friends proposed a 3 month timeframe. This would include developing relationships with funders, who are able to commit funds in the near future.

NS confirmed that access to the Council collections would be possible should such a partnership go ahead but did not consider that access to the former staff was necessary at this point in time.

1. Discussions concerning the building

The Friends requested that the Council agree not to dispose of the building during the 3 months development period.

NS explained that the Council have an obligation to dispose of a redundant building but that it was examining the options to ring-fence the proceeds of sale and put them in trust to pay for cultural visits for local children. The Friends indicated that they have received legal advice questioning the legal title of the building, which was originally given under a Deed of Gift.

The Friends asked NS to confirm that he would be interested in a partnership including the lease of the building and sharing of information concerning the running of the museum. NS confirmed that this would be possible if the Friends were able to demonstrate serious backing from funders at the outset.

1. An alternative proposal

NS suggested a possible new home for the Livesey Museum in space vacated by the Cuming museum in Walworth Town Hall, subject to the outcome of the current review of the Cuming Museum. The Friends rejected this proposal for the reasons previously discussed concerning the character and location of the Livesey building.

1. Conclusions

NS agreed to provide a quote for the lease of the building within 48hrs. The Friends requested an initial rent free period and the possibility to sub-let parts of the building.

He asked the Friends to write a letter setting out their proposals, incorporating the need to rent the building at a commercial rent. He agreed that if the Friends initial proposal was accepted, they could have access to operational and financial information concerning the musem to develop the full proposal.

There was a discussion concerning the speed and method of sale of the building during which it was confirmed that the building did not have to be sold at open tender and that any decision to sell would need to be a decision of the full executive. The next executive meeting is 8/4/2008.

1. Agreed actions

NS to provide a value for the lease of the building within 48 hours.

The Friends to send a letter to NS outlining their initial proposals with details of proposed funding.

If this proposal is accepted, the Council will delay the disposal of the building for 3 months to enable the Friends to develop the full proposal to fund and run the museum on its current site. The Council will work with the Friends to facilitate the development of the proposal.