BRIDGWATER TOWN COUNCIL MUSEUM SUB-COMMITTEE

MUSEUM & LEARNING

(Interim arrangements paper)

Bridgwater Town Council:

Welcomes all initiatives to enhance learning experiences in the Museum for every visitor

Recognises that there is much that needs to be done in the Museum, and that it will take time to achieve the best standards worthy of the Museum's agreed purposes

Acknowledges that priorities must be given to some tasks and activities over others

Therefore encourages volunteers to concentrate their efforts over the next six months on enhancing, refreshing, renewing and interpreting the displays so that all visitors may gain better understanding and learning from them

Accepts that young visitors are a vulnerable group and that special provision must be made to safeguard them

Therefore, will not permit children under 16 years unaccompanied by an adult to enter the Museum until such time as FOBM has become registered with the CRB and obtained appropriate CRB clearance for duty keyholders (or has in place alternative arrangements for CRB compliance through a registered authority) and has put in place procedures to safeguard children to the approval of the Town Clerk

Invites the Friends to submit draft proposals (see below) # for consideration (in writing one week in advance of the next MSC meeting) detailing the opportunities and safe procedures for learning for young people at the Museum within the following constraints;

*     the proposals to be for a trial period from September 2009 until December
    2009 and subject to evaluation at the end of the trial

*    group leaders from schools or other organisations for young people to be
     required to visit the Museum at least one month before the visit is to take place
     and must demonstrate that a formal written full risk assessment has
      been made at least one week before the visit takes place

*    visits by organised groups of young people to take place at times when
     members of the public are not admitted to the Museum (so as best to safeguard
   the young people)

* organised groups not to exceed 30 young people at any one time and be under the direct control of the group leader or leaders who will be responsible for supervision at all times whilst the group is on the premises save that no less than 2 CRB qualified volunteers must also be present

* guidelines as approved # to be read to the visiting party at the commencement of the visit

Will not offer outreach services from the Museum, as such, but will happily pass on requests (without recommendation) to other organisations or any separate group the FOBM or 'Garrison' may choose to establish

Will review this statement on or before 31 January 2010


Alan Hurford

Town Clerk

7 August 2009 revised 19 August