## **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 SubKrip￿n
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