Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

This report sets out to inform and update the Cabinet Member on the progress linked to the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection both in relation to the delivery of the Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) bid in partnership with the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), the outline Education and Outreach plan for the Collection going forwards and the anticipated.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  To acknowledge the work of the HLF funded project in partnership with the RNIB and especially the ability of the project to be developing such innovative work

(2)  To deliver the detailed Education and Outreach programme as detailed in Appendix A and to continue this work into 2017/18.

(3)  To continue to work with Tim Rusby of the Visitor Attraction Company to develop feasibility options for the delivery of a Portsmouth based Sherlock Holmes Experience and the need for the development of external funding bids.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The report was introduced by Claire Looney, Partnership and Commissioning Manager.  Laura Weston, Learning and Education Officer was then invited to give a brief overview of the work she is involved with on this project. Laura advised that there are events planned up until April so far.  These included Bookfest and the Lost Hour event.  She had also been approached by a colleague in Adult Social Care to provide a talk to groups at risk of isolation.  All this work is supported by volunteers and she had recently started working with volunteers with learning disabilities. 

Councillor Morgan wished to commend officers on the report and said that the contribution of the volunteers was admirable.  In response to a question regarding the management of the learning disability volunteer programme, Laura explained that they are supported by herself and other staff.  One of the learning disability volunteers had been assisting for the past five weeks on cataloguing magazines and had taken to the role brilliantly.  The South Downs College support unit would also provide some support one of the other learning disability volunteers. 

Councillor Hunt endorsed the comments previously made and said that volunteers are hugely important.  He said he looked forward to seeing progress with the project and thanked officers for their hard work. 

Councillor Symes said that the Conan Doyle collection is impressive and it is very important that this goes forward.  She thanked all staff involved for their hard work on this project.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member

(1)  Acknowledged the work of the HLF funded project in partnership with the RNIB and especially the ability of the project to be developing such innovative work.

(2)  Agreed to deliver the detailed Education and Outreach programme as detailed in Appendix A and to continue this work into 2017/18. 

(3)  Agreed to continue to work with Tim Rusby of the Visitor Attraction Company to develop feasibility options for the delivery of a Portsmouth based Sherlock Holmes Experience and the need for the development of external funding bids.