A CALL for Barry to have a dedicated museum will be considered by members a Vale council committee on Thursday, January 16.

Learning and culture scrutiny committee members examine the possibility after Vale and Barry town councillor Ian Johnson requested the establishing of a council-run museum, be explored.

The report provides information on the existing provision available in the Vale and is based on Welsh Government’s Expert Review of Local Museums in Wales.

Consideration is given, within the report on staffing implications, revenue costs and physical/digital provision.

The report recommends councillors note the information provided and consider the request.

The report states: “Developing council operated accredited museum provision at this time and under current financial challenges affecting statutory services would be difficult to rationalise.

“The implications and cost of running a museum in the Vale of Glamorgan should therefore be carefully considered.

“There is no national funding available to local authorities from Welsh Government linked to the provision of museum services.”

The report further added: “The total arts development budget for 2019/20 is £129k.

“This budget is set to reduce to £108k in the forthcoming 2020/21 financial year.

“It is anticipated that operating a dedicated physical museum provision would cost an additional £100 to 150k (approximately) per annum.

“This is based on the existing running costs of the Arts Central Gallery space, at £84k for the 2019/20 financial year, and the additional costs associated with maintaining museum collections, such as appropriate lighting, temperature and humidity-controlled conditions, additional security considerations and human resource implications.”

Cllr Ian Johnson said it was important Barry’s unique heritage was remembered and celebrated.

He said: “A sense of civic pride is about knowing the history of where you are from.

“You need to know where you a coming from to understand where you are going to.

“In the case of Barry, that means talking about and showing our industrial history of the docks that forged the modern town.

“The history of Barry before the Victorian era industrialisation is also a story we need to share.

“The Vale of Glamorgan is one of only two local authorities across Wales who don’t make a contribution to local museums.

“That is quite astonishing.

“Online digital websites about Barry, Barry Dock and Cadoxton are very popular.

“Regular historical archives in the Barry and District News show there is a genuine interest amongst people in Barry and beyond.

“People often talk about wanting a museum or heritage centre, but Barry is also making history now and we should keep a record for future generations,” he said.

“Just look at the success of Gavin and Stacey and Barry Town United, for example.

“This meeting is hopefully a first step to achieving that goal, although there would be much work to be done.”

Backing a museum, Barry resident Bobby Kenny said: “I hope there is a museum.

“The history of Barry should be out there to all visitors and locals.

“I think there should be a small charge like all the little museum around the country I go to - just to help keep running of it as well as a cafe if possible.

“I would be willing to loan everything I've got which are books, plates with prints of Barry on them, postcards, coasters Butlins pin badges and other items like the Butlins egg timer.

“Whenever possible I still buy thing about Barry which I would loan.”

The Vale council learning and culture scrutiny committee meeting is in the Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry, at 5pm on Thursday, January 16.

The public is able to attend.