Energy Crisis
Suspension of Minimum Temperature Requirement
To support museums with rising energy costs throughout the winter months, Arts Council England has agreed, with DCMS, to suspend the minimum temperature requirement for the next four months (December – March).
The standard requirement for temperature is: 16°C – 24°C with a maximum fluctuation of 4°C within 24 hours. The minimum requirement of 16°C will be suspended to 31 March 2023.
This arrangement is introduced with immediate effect and is not expected to produce negative impact on collections and loan items under indemnity. This temporary arrangement requires a planned approach of gradually reducing the temperature at the beginning and restoring at end of the 4 month period, to create a slow and gradual change to the period with no minimum temperature control; and in agreement with owners/ lenders.
This temporary arrangement is supported by the Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) Environmental Adviser who will assess submitted temperature data accordingly.
GIS continues to require environmental conditions to be maintained 24 hours a days, 7 days a week throughout the loan period from the time the indemnified object arrives until it departs from the loan venue in accordance with Annex D of the GIS Guidelines for National and Non National institutions. Relative humidity, temperature, light and UV levels are to be monitored through the loan period in the space within which the indemnified object is contained.
For general or environmental advice, email government.indemnityscheme@artscouncil.org.uk
Preparing for winter blackouts
Arts Council England’s Security and Protection Advice Manager offers this advice to be proactive and take actions now to help your museum be better prepared should the sector experience power blackouts later in the winter
Government Business Support
The UK Government’s support for businesses and their employees, the Business Support website helps businesses find the right support, advice and information.
Cost of Living Crisis
Business Rates
Museums and galleries in England and Wales are in line to save hundreds of thousands of pounds following changes to how the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) calculates business rates for the sector. After a series of landmark legal cases, the VOA has confirmed that, for its 2023 revaluation, it has changed the methodology it uses to calculate business rates for the majority of museums.
The rateable value will now be calculated by receipts and expenditure, which considers whether the property makes a net surplus, rather than the contractor’s method, which assesses the cost of rebuilding the existing museum. The updated rateable values will take effect from 1 April 2023.
However the change in methodology will not apply retrospectively to organisations assessed by the contractor’s method under the last revaluation in 2017, and museums wishing to challenge that valuation must lodge an appeal.
There is a deadline of 31 March for appeals to be registered. Museums can begin the process by completing the VOA’s Museums Information Request Form. Appeals are made via the UK Government’s Check and Challenge process.
Government Business Support
The UK Government’s support for businesses and their employees, the Business Support website helps businesses find the right support, advice and information.
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