Published: Monday 17th July 2023 | 1.41pm
Cannock Chase Council’s Parks, Culture, and Heritage Portfolio Leader, Councillor John Preece, has given an update on the future of the Museum of Cannock Chase in Hednesford.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting last Thursday (13 July), he made the following statement:
“I would like to update Cabinet on the petition received at the Annual Council Meeting on the potential relocation of the Museum of Cannock Chase, where the Council received a petition with 3,200 signatures asking that it stays in Hednesford. The petition was set up by Darrell Mawle.
“We acknowledge this strength of feeling and can confirm that a full options appraisal document is being prepared, with a view to this being completed in the autumn for subsequent consideration in the following months by Cabinet.
“No final decision on the museum’s future has been made or will be made until all the evidence is available for consideration. We will also need to bear in mind the Council’s financial situation. What I can guarantee is that the strength of feeling of the community will be reflected in that appraisal.”
Councillor Preece also confirmed that the Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing, Councillor Jo Elson, himself and senior officers had met with Councillor Darrell Mawle to discuss the museum and the petition.
In agreeing its budget back in February, the Council`s previous administration had earmarked a saving of £100,000 annually to be made by its leisure partner, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, from the funding it allocates to the museum.
Photograph:
Councillor John Preece, Parks, Culture, and Heritage Portfolio Leader at Cannock Chase Council.