Poole Pottery Museum & Archive Auction Christies 31St March

AGENDA ITEM 13

URGENT BUSINESS

In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the Chairman has agreed that this matter be considered

CABINET – 6TH APRIL 2004

POOLE POTTERY MUSEUM & ARCHIVE AUCTION

@ CHRISTIES 31ST MARCH

1. Purpose of Report

1.1To advise Members of the items purchased and how the funds raised were spent.

1. Recommendation

2.1Members welcome the success achieved by Sue Beckett at the auction.

2.2Members thank everyone who contributed to the fundraising effort in such a short period.

2.3Members note the expenditure incurred in securing these 72 lots.

1. Information

3.1At a meeting on 30th March, following successful fundraising over the previous three weeks, the Leader, Cllr Leverett, and Portfolio Holder, Cllr Woodcock, authorised Alan Barlow, Policy Director, to spend up to the sum of £90,000 (before fees and VAT) to acquire Poole Pottery artefacts from the Christie’s auction the following day. The total funds available at that time amounted to £91,950 with a further £15,000 available from the Museums Acquisition Fund (into which all contributions were paid) to meet fees and VAT.

3.2The 290 Lots were divided into three categories – A, B & C – to reflect their importance to the heritage of the pottery. Each item was allocated a ‘planned bid’ for the day to enable the Council to acquire as many items as possible and to give priority to those of most significance. Sue Beckett, Collections Officer, bided for over 100 Lots on behalf of the Council at the auction.

3.3It was clear from the very first few Lots that prices were going to be significantly higher than had been anticipated and that our bidding strategy would need to be modified as the auction proceeded. Alan Barlow monitored the funds available for further purchases as each Lot was sold, noting the Council’s last bid as well as the selling price.

3.4Sue Beckett was able to purchase 66 items at the auction itself and a further 5 items were purchased by negotiation with the Administrator directly and one through negotiation with another bidder. The full list of the Council’s acquisitions, with Christie’s estimates and prices paid for each Lot, is shown in Appendix 1.

3.5Over 200 members of the public donated over £16,200, in sums large and small, to the appeal launched by the Daily Echo, whose reporter Scott Neil was supportive throughout including attendance at the auction. Three individual benefactors contributed £40,000 and a further £34,000 was raised in grants from public bodies. A sum of £15,000 was available from the Museums Acquisition Fund if needed. All the costs incurred and the funding raised to meet them is shown in Appendix 2.

3.6The Grants received from some bodies were tied to the purchase of specified Lots; unfortunately not all the items specified by the MLA V & A Purchase Grant Fund were won on the day. Consequently some of this Grant will not be forthcoming as it is not transferable between items nor is it increased if additional expenditure is incurred. The Grant is now estimated at £13,384, which will include fees but not VAT, as this will be reclaimed by the Council.

3.7This was a successful day with which Members should be well pleased. A true example of a partnership between the Council and the community it serves has resulted in a tremendous success, retaining over 70% of the items considered to be most significantly connected with the heritage of the Pottery and consequently of the town.

Alan Barlow

Policy Director

Appendix 1

Appendix 2