To update Members on the position in respect of the Brian Hatton Collection

The Committee was updated on the position in respect of the Brian Hatton Collection.

Mrs. Jean O’Donnell asked the following questions which had been submitted in advance of the meeting:

1.What reason does the Herefordshire Council have for refusing to

have a member of the Hatton family as a trustee of the Hatton Charity when a family member donated the collection and money to the then City Council?

2. When will the terms of the will of Marjorie Hatton be kept? This stated that a gallery was to be built to show her brothers' pictures on three walls this has been closed and not replaced after five years.

3. What is the long tem future of Churchill House? When will it be restored to the City that purchased it in 1965 as an amenity for the local citizens to enjoy?

The Head of Economic and Community Services explained that the Council was the sole trustee of the Hatton Collection which was agreed by the Charity Commission.  The Trust was set up to display and care for the collection with the Council being the only organisation to be able to do this considering the resources needed and the staff capability.

The paintings by Brian Hatton are displayed on the walls at the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.  There will be a dedicated exhibition of the Hatton Collection, funding permitting.  The Collection will also be made available on the internet providing access to the Collection on a global scale.

Churchill House is currently leased to Hereford College of Art and Design to support the artistic and creative talent of future generations.

The Cabinet Member (Resources) added that Churchill House would be included in the Council’s strategic property review but for the time being it was leased by the Herefordshire College of Art and Design so any review would have to wait until the lease on the premises had lapsed.

Mrs O’Donnell continued by explaining that she thought that the use of the building for performing arts was a potentially detrimental use of the premises.  She added that the appearance of exterior of the building had deteriorated substantially since the building had been externally leased.  Examples of problems were graffiti on the City Coat of Arms and the building’s foundation stone as well as overgrown foliage.

Mr James, Hereford Resident, added that he felt that the Council was morally obliged to keep to the terms set out in Marjorie Hatton’s will and that he thought it inconceivable that a member of the Hatton family should be refused a place as a Trustee of the Hatton Collection.

It was explained that as only the Local Authority had the resources to care for the Hatton Collection then the Charity Commission had been agreeable to current membership of the Trust.

Mr James added that the Hatton Family wanted a voice on the Trust and the future of the Hatton Collection.  He stated that the Collection did not have to remain at Churchill House but a Hatton Gallery could be opened elsewhere in Hereford.

The Committee expressed the view that they saw no harm in the Hatton Family being granted membership of the Hatton Collection Trust.  Moreover, they felt it would be a positive factor as the family member would be able to drive the Trust forward as well as potentially opening the door to external funding streams.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member (Community Services) review the role of the Hatton Family as Trustees of the Hatton Collection and their future involvement with the Trust and management of the Hatton Collection.