Agenda item

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services.

The Leader introduced the report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services (previously circulated) updating Members on the outcome of the negotiations with the Science Museum Group (on behalf of the National Railway Museum (NRM)) with regard to Locomotion No 1; Beamish Museum with regard to the Replica of Locomotion No 1; and requesting that consideration be given to acquiring the Replica of Locomotion No 1 from Beamish Museum.

The submitted report stated that a Memorandum of Understanding on the future loan exhibits from the NRM had been agreed and Locomotion No 1 had been transferred to Locomotion in Shildon; it would return to Darlington in 2025 for a period and then on an on-going basis moving forward; and that in addition, the Council had secured the transfer of ownership of the Replica of Locomotion No 1 from Beamish Museum to the Council.

Discussion ensued on how the replica of Locomotion No 1 came to be under the ownership of Beamish Museum; when it was last working; on the amount of work required for it to work again; and the Memorandum of Understanding.  The Chair and the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services responded thereon.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the acquisition of  the Replica of Locomotion No 1 from Beamish Museum, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved.

(b)  That the provision of a grant to Beamish Museum, to a maximum of £150,000, be approved, to enable them to restore the Locomotive Dunrobin.

(c)  That the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, be authorised, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio holder, to finalise terms.

(d)  That the Assistant Director Law and Governance be authorised to complete the legal agreements necessary for the acquisition and grant.

REASONS – (a) To enable the Council to finalise the acquisition of the Replica of Locomotion No. 1.

(b)  To support the Council’s plans for the Head of Steam and the bicentenary celebrations in 2025.