Funding the Museum of London

The DCMs is consulting on funding the Museum of London. It offers 3 choices:

1. Retain the 50:50 funding between DCMS and City of London
2. Retain funding but increase Board Members choosen by Greater London Authority (currently only 1)
3. Fund the Museum 50:50 between City of London and GLA.

In my opinion the best option for the museum is the restoration of the tripartite funding so that the museum is funded

One third by DCMS, GLA and City of London.

This would restore the situation as before Thatcher's crazy abolition of London's government and reflects the fact that London is made up of:

Capital
Metropolis
Historic City (and rich finance centre)

This would give the museum greater stability - I suggest there may be some danger of the GLA at some point in the future when pressed for money, demanding cuts, City and Government together should be able to resist this as they have a good record on maintaining Museum of London funds.

The consultation tried to rule this option offside - for some reason (they say local accountability and increase in bureacracy - but I think this is the best option.

I do think the GLA should be given a fair say in the running of the Museum particularly as the City is so right wing, but do worry that a 50:50 share would give the GLA the power to reduce funding. So if the option I prefer is not allowed I think I would have to adopt option 2 which gives board members but not funding to the GLA.

The consultation document is on the museums and galleries page of www.culture.gov.uk.

You can email your reponses to them at:

david.lee@culture.gsi.gov.uk