URBIS: IT'S NOT A MUSEUM!

3.29.56pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Oct 2005

Cllr Iain Donaldson

Manchester Liberal Democrats have asked the Council to clarify the role of the cash-guzzling URBIS centre in the city, following confusion over whether or not it should be classified as a "museum".

Liberal Democrat Councillors on the Social Strategy Committee this week were surprised to see no mention of URBIS, which drains £2million every year from Council resources, when they considered a report summarising the activites of Manchester City Council's Art Galleries and Museums.

The 5-page report spelled out the work of the Council and its partners, and mentioned, amongst others, the Whitworth Art Gallery, the People's History Museum, and even work outside the city in Preston and Carlisle. However, officers fail to mention URBIS anywhere in the summary.

Under questioning from Social Strategy Committee member Councillor Iain Donaldson, it was revealed that URBIS couldn't be recognised as a Museum - despite a massive marketing campaign promoting it as such - "To be recognised as a museum, it would have to have exhibits," was the response given by a senior Council official at the meeting.

Councillor Donaldson said:

"Labour's Town Hall bosses claim that URBIS is the centrepiece of regeneration in the City Centre, and is good value for money. However, officials don't seem to know it exists or think it relevant when it comes to Manchester's cultural role in the region."

"Perhaps if it is of no cultural value we should give Manchester's Council Taxpayers a break and stop wasting £2million a year on it. Only Manchester's Liberal Democrat Opposition would take steps to reduce this massive subsidy."

Ends.....

Contact: Councillor Iain Donaldson 0161 234 3002

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