Museum future boosted by Andover council support funding

The plan would see the council pay £50,000 a year for three years as part of a £150,000 package being developed with Test Valley Borough Council.

The deal is still subject to conditions and further talks.

Councillors from across the chamber backed the museum, calling it a vital cultural and heritage asset for Andover.

Speaking prior to the debate, Hampshire County Councils representative on the Hampshire Cultural Trust, Cllr Chris Donnelly, said: I'm really glad that the museum is on the agenda for consideration tonight.

"Obviously we didn't know at the beginning of the week that we would have changed to local government reorganisation which was one of the things that prompted this big conversation.

"Even though that isn't now happening, it's a conversation worth having and I hope that the conversation goes on about working together and working closely to make sure we do prioritise these local assets."

Cllr Katherine Bird said: “Our museum is a huge part of Andover. It is unique, and as we have discovered over the years, if things disappear, they don't always come back and we do lose part of that heritage issue.

“I think it is a resource that we have to support. I think it is right we are putting in checks and balances to make sure that what we are doing is what residents want from us.”

“I think it is absolutely vital that we support our asset and that we contribute towards this.”

Cllr Robin Hughes said uncertainty over local government reorganisation made supporting the museum even more important.

He said: “When I first saw this I was a bit concerned as it wasn't many days ago we all thought that Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council were going to disappear.

“Now, we all know that everything has changed. We didn't know much before that on what was going to happen, we actually know a lot less.

“Because of that I think it is absolutely imperative we actually support keeping that museum open one way or another and making sure it still exists for at least three years because in that time a proper solution may be found.”

Cllr Mark Farren acknowledged residents’ concerns about the cost but said the museum’s long-term value outweighed them.

He said: “I don't think anyone can question the value of the Andover Museum and the exhibits within it but I have been asked by the public, ‘Is this really a good use of taxpayer money? Do enough people use the Andover Museum to justify the expense?’

“I don't know. I haven't conducted a petition to find out how many people are interested in saving the Andover Museum.”

“I think we should try and save the museum. It's not for us; it's for future generations and the young people in this room.”

“I think the museum adds value to our town, probably more so than the town council, so we should look to be joining in this opportunity to try and save it.”

Cllr Luigi Gregori also backed the funding package, saying the museum’s future should come before politics.

He said: “I think it is an important cultural asset and it behoves us as residents to stand up for it, support it and put our money where our mouth is.”

“Irrespective of what these changes of reorganisation to local government have, if we do not invest in the museum, the museum is due to close. This has been reported and it has also been confirmed by Hampshire Cultural Trust.”

“We need to strip away all the politics and concentrate on whether this is an asset to the town that we need to keep. The answer is yes.”

The recommendation was approved unanimously by councillors.