Dear Friend
We haven’t been in contact for a while so this letter is to update you on the current situation regarding the Livesey Museum and to ask for some feedback.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
1) The new Livesey Trust Deed
Last October we asked you to write to the Charity Commission to object to revised Livesey Trust deed (“the Scheme”) proposed by Southwark Council, which kept Southwark Council as the sole trustee. This was very successful and due to the large number of objections received, the Charity Commission asked Southwark Council to reconsider the form of the trust deed. This process took so long that Charity Commission eventually closed the Scheme in May 2010 and have asked the Council to come forward with a revised proposal.
This means that until a new scheme is devised the building is governed by the original Livesey Trust deed of 1890 which says that it should be used forever as a free public library. Southwark Council believe that they need to resolve this issue to move forward with an alternative use for the building.
2) Theatre Peckham Withdraw
The Council voted in December 2008 to hand the building over to Theatre Peckham to use as a theatre workshop. After carrying out a feasibility study, Theatre Peckham told the Council in July 2010 that they were unable proceed due to the difficulty of raising the money they considered was necessary to convert the building.
3) The Election and its impact
In the May election, Labour gained control of Southwark Council. We have been in contact with the new cabinet member for culture, Veronica Ward, and she has indicated that the Council are now committed to finding a positive outcome for the building. In July 2010 the council published a press release on its website which contained the following statement:
“Given the importance of securing the future of the museum, Councillor Ward has asked officers to urgently look into the other options. Councillor is also going to speak to local groups connected with the museum. A report will be heard by the cabinet into the options. Keeping the building secure, in good condition and free from squatters is crucial to finding a permanent solution. In the short period while the council looks at the options, the building is being used by the popular Guardian scheme, which gives people the chance to rent affordable space to live in empty buildings”
The full text of the press release can be found here:
http://www.southwark.gov.uk/press/article/134/southwark_council_statement_on_livesey_museum
LET US KNOW YOUR VIEWS
We have been invited to meet with Councillor Ward and the council officers to discuss the future of the building. We would like to hear from you about what you would like to happen to the museum. Given the current economic climate, re-opening as a museum may not be the first choice so alternative ideas would be welcome, especially those which don’t require a huge amount of funding.
Email livesey.friends@googlemail.com
Thank you for your continued support
Liz Wilkinson, Treasurer, Friends of the Livesey Museum for Children
Filed under: building, Southwark Council
