Agenda and draft minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members

There were no substitute members reported.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2023.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 31 January 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To provide an overview of Museum activity and report on the progress of development plans for Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum and Stephenson Steam Railway.

Consideration was given to a presentation by Mr Keith Merrin (Director), Mr Geoff Woodward and Ms Sophie Mitchell, from the Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM), on the progress of development plans for Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum and Stephenson Steam Railway.

It was explained that TWAM worked with North Tyneside Council to operate its museums at Segedunum and Stephenson Steam Railway and deliver activities across the borough that engaged communities, broke down barriers to access, developed skills and educational opportunities, improved health and well-being and supported the economy.  Similarly, TWAM worked in South Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle operating a further seven museums – South Shields Museum, Arbeia Roman Fort, Shipley Art Gallery, Laing Art Gallery, DiscoveryCul Museum, Great North Museum:Hancock and the Hatton Gallery. This unique partnership of museums enabled TWAM to bring efficiencies, expertise, local and national profile and funding that each venue alone would struggle to sustain.

TWAM was governed by the four Tyneside local authorities through a partnership agreement and a Board which also had representation from the University of Newcastle (owner of Great North Museum and the Hatton) and independent members including the Chair Baroness Joyce Quin.  TWAM was an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) which meant it was able to match the contribution made by the partners from national funds. It was the largest Museum NPO in the country and has secured over £3million each year to support delivery of the museum and community activity in the region.

TWAM also delivered the county archive service for Tyne and Wear (including Sunderland) meaning that it held all of the public records for North Tyneside along with a treasure trove of other historical collections.  It had recently adopted a new mission which sets the focus of its activity for the next three years on using our amazing museums, collections and expertise to support local communities with the local and global challenges that they faced.

Segedunum Roman Fort:The Fort, at Wallsend, attracted about 45,000 visitors each year including many out-of-region visitors. It was the most easterly fort on the Hadrian’s Wall Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site and the most excavated fort on Hadrian’s Wall, with an 80-metre stretch of original Wall plus a reconstruction that visitors can climb.It had a strong school audience (up to a fifth of visitors) and a long reputation for delivering excellent, curriculum-based education visits.

As well as its Roman galleries the museum also covered the important story of local industrial heritage including collieries and shipbuilding and the nearby Swan Hunter yard. The site was used as a start or finish of the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail which celebrated its 20th birthday in 2023 and had about 15,000 walkers each year.  The exhibition programme had included high profile national loans from the British Museum whilst a popular events programme brought visitors from the immediate local area. It was the only TWAM site that had an admission charge whilst an ‘NE28 free admission offer’ allowed residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item C&L25/22

Tuesday 27 June 2023 at 6.00pm.