Kendal College has proposed making two specialist curatorial roles redundant at Kendal Museum – a move criticised by Unison as "short sighted".
The college took over the management on the museum from South Lakeland District Council in 2009 to prevent it from closing. It says it wants Kendal Museum to become self-sustaining within seven years and increase opening times to five days per week – something that “can only be achieved with a review of staffing”.
Two part-time posts are at risk of redundancy under the proposals – a curator with special responsibility for the archaeology and social history collections, and the natural history curator. A new part-time post of curator/manager will be created.
A spokesman for Kendal College said the new role “will consolidate the responsibilities necessary for the museum to continue its progress towards sustainability and to provide a better and more educational visitor experience”.
A statement added: “Kendal College recognises that no curator can be a specialist across all fields and it will therefore continue to bring in specialists to support the different collections in the museum.
"The reputation of Kendal Museum will not be eroded through any potential changes to staffing as the college is committed to enhancing the educational offer and the visitor experience.”
Kendal College launched a diploma in curatorial skills course in September, which includes experience working with Kendal Museum and others in the North West.
The college said it plans to continue to offer the course, despite the proposed restructure.
Unison, the public services union, said the proposal was short-sighted. It argues that a six-year grant from South Lakeland District Council covers staffing costs.
Dave Armstrong, Unison regional organiser, said: “There is no financial need to make this redundancy. The college benefits from the two curators’ different specialisms, which complement the service provided to the public and enhances its own curator diploma course.
"This will have a detrimental effect on the excellent service provided by the museum to both local people and the many tourists who visit Kendal.”
South Lakeland District Council will meet later this week to decide whether to support the college’s proposals.
Correction
This article originally stated that the two threatened roles were full-time.
The college took over the management on the museum from South Lakeland District Council in 2009 to prevent it from closing. It says it wants Kendal Museum to become self-sustaining within seven years and increase opening times to five days per week – something that “can only be achieved with a review of staffing”.
Two part-time posts are at risk of redundancy under the proposals – a curator with special responsibility for the archaeology and social history collections, and the natural history curator. A new part-time post of curator/manager will be created.
A spokesman for Kendal College said the new role “will consolidate the responsibilities necessary for the museum to continue its progress towards sustainability and to provide a better and more educational visitor experience”.
A statement added: “Kendal College recognises that no curator can be a specialist across all fields and it will therefore continue to bring in specialists to support the different collections in the museum.
"The reputation of Kendal Museum will not be eroded through any potential changes to staffing as the college is committed to enhancing the educational offer and the visitor experience.”
Kendal College launched a diploma in curatorial skills course in September, which includes experience working with Kendal Museum and others in the North West.
The college said it plans to continue to offer the course, despite the proposed restructure.
Unison, the public services union, said the proposal was short-sighted. It argues that a six-year grant from South Lakeland District Council covers staffing costs.
Dave Armstrong, Unison regional organiser, said: “There is no financial need to make this redundancy. The college benefits from the two curators’ different specialisms, which complement the service provided to the public and enhances its own curator diploma course.
"This will have a detrimental effect on the excellent service provided by the museum to both local people and the many tourists who visit Kendal.”
South Lakeland District Council will meet later this week to decide whether to support the college’s proposals.
Correction
This article originally stated that the two threatened roles were full-time.
