Motherwell Heritage Centre closure threat
NORTH Lanarkshire Council turned down a grant to carry out improvement works at Motherwell Heritage Centre — and it has now been revealed they are considering closing the facility to cut costs.
The council were awarded around 40,000 by Museums Galleries Scotland to fund display cases, new methods of interpretation and community engagement projects to increase public access and enjoyment of the Motherwell exhibitions.
Creative services manager Jillian Ferrie said: "As the funding awarded was for a very specific purpose, we felt it would be inappropriate to accept it at this point in time."
However, on Friday (September 3) it transpired that with NLC now looking to make minimum savings of 55 million over the next two years, they are considering closing the Heritage Centre which would save 122,000.
The building itself would be retained and used to store archives from the council's Lenziemill facility, which could close under the proposals, with a further saving of 16,000.
A total of nine museum staff would also be lost, most likely including those at the Heritage Centre, to save a further 284,000.
Last summer the council cut the Heritage Centre's opening hours from seven days to just five a week in the face of disappointing visitor numbers.
A council spokesman said: "In the face of severe financial cuts to all public sector organisations, services across the council are currently considering savings options."
Full story in September 9 edition of Motherwell Times
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Friday 25 May 2012
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