Honorary Directors’ report to the fifth (2020/21 year) Annual General Meeting of Richmondshire Museum
The year opened remaining subject to varying Covid19 pandemic restrictions and in consequence the Museum re-scheduled its intended opening date remaining closed until 19[th] July 2021. The Museum was therefore open to the public for only fifteen weeks closing on 31[st] October 2021. The total of 1399 visitors achieved in this period was 30% low compared with the same period pre pandemic in 2019. This we believe was due to public post pandemic reticence but also to front of house manning coverage issues caused mainly by Covid19 concerns.
Our Museum Manager and Cleaner were still employed during the closed period with only necessary attendance at the Museum for collections care, maintenance and security purposes. We thank our Museum Manager for her diligence and note in particular how she kept in touch with our Volunteers during this difficult time.
We thank all our Volunteers who returned to the Museum after the shutdown period and understand why other Volunteers felt unable to help this year.
The accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 show a loss of (£10,525) and we are due to receive our Independent Examiner’s report later in May. No adverse comments are expected. This loss results from restricted opening against the unavoidable costs of investing in a viable Museum beyond the pandemic. Its effect on following years is profound and requires attention to regain sustainability.
Cost mitigation measures were carried out where possible during the year but fixed overheads were subject to normal inflation.
The Management Committee met eleven times during the year. There were three Hon Director’s meetings. A Sub-Committee was formed to consider the future strategic direction of the Museum and we thank Brian Benson for leading this Sub-Committee.
The lift became inoperable before we opened. To enable a cost reduced repair and improved service our lift service provider was changed and our accounts contain a provision for a disputed amount with our previous service provider.
During the year two Management Committee Members decided to leave and we thank Mrs Fiona Vasey and Mr Rob Oades for their work in the past.
The pandemic has had a major detrimental impact on the Museum. Contributory to this was lack of significant support from any level of
government. Whilst most in the business sector received sustaining financial assistance small voluntary organisations received little, if any. The consequences are concerning to the future of Richmondshire Museum well beyond the 2020/21 year.
16[th] May 2022
Rlchmondshlre Museum Recelpts and Payments Account Year ended 31 March 2022 Last y&r Intomt Shop Sales Shop St£ purchases 558 260 298 4.494 337 181 18 163 Net Adrnission Cash ilonations within Museurn Grants Donations GiftAid Lottery Fundraisirq Events Research Education Membershlp SubKripn Interest Miscellaneous 531 14.677 28.570 2.416 624 6.CK12 672 469 2S 25 1.105 570 £ts.608 48,222 Expenses Wales ElettTicity Insurance Telephone 11.124 3,237 2.120 379 3.714 1.038 loo 575 613 10,447 1,247 3.191 396 1.082 1.312 143 625 439 Alamis Watef Lottery Wins Newsleller, Statk>nery and P*e Museurn Building lrnprovements Repalrs and Malntenance Advertisine Curating Materials Hou5ekeepin8 Miscellaneous Honornrlum 813 624 1.154 45 4,597 1&791 24 910 41,230 É6.991 Profit/-10sS 410.5Z5 2c TY