Two curators have been made redundant at Chelmsford Museums Service following a staff restructure.
The posts of Tony Walentowicz, keeper of natural sciences, and Anne Lutyens-Humfrey, keeper of art, have been axed in a move that will reportedly save the council about £36,000.
Following a review of staffing arrangements, the number of keepers at the service, which incorporates the Chelmsford Museum and Sandford Mill sites, is reduced from five to three.
The service will comprise three departments: industrial, physical and natural sciences; art, local and social history; and Essex regiment and Essex yeomanry.
“The review’s objectives are to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness to deliver a more customer-focused museums service,” said a council spokesman.
“The present model of curators and keepers, and resulting work practices, has been in place, unchallenged, for 20 years and does not reflect the museums’ evolution into a modern, outward-facing service.”
Chelmsford council has subsequently advertised for a learning services manager and a visitor services manager.
Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Mackrory said: “All the curators are capable people and enormously experienced in their fields.
“It’s a sad thing to lose them. It is something that will have an impact on the exhibitions and knowledge available at the museum, which adds so much to the collections.”
In January, Chelmsford Museum opened a £5m two-storey extension designed by architects Thomas Ford & Partners.
The posts of Tony Walentowicz, keeper of natural sciences, and Anne Lutyens-Humfrey, keeper of art, have been axed in a move that will reportedly save the council about £36,000.
Following a review of staffing arrangements, the number of keepers at the service, which incorporates the Chelmsford Museum and Sandford Mill sites, is reduced from five to three.
The service will comprise three departments: industrial, physical and natural sciences; art, local and social history; and Essex regiment and Essex yeomanry.
“The review’s objectives are to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness to deliver a more customer-focused museums service,” said a council spokesman.
“The present model of curators and keepers, and resulting work practices, has been in place, unchallenged, for 20 years and does not reflect the museums’ evolution into a modern, outward-facing service.”
Chelmsford council has subsequently advertised for a learning services manager and a visitor services manager.
Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Mackrory said: “All the curators are capable people and enormously experienced in their fields.
“It’s a sad thing to lose them. It is something that will have an impact on the exhibitions and knowledge available at the museum, which adds so much to the collections.”
In January, Chelmsford Museum opened a £5m two-storey extension designed by architects Thomas Ford & Partners.