Museum's funding application rejected

Moray councillors today rejected a funding application for Elgin Museum.

The museum’s owners, the Moray Society, had sought £44,500 of grant aid over the next three years after submitting a revised business case following a deferral of its original funding application earlier this year.

The revised business plan included marketing the museum to a wider audience with increased activities and hosting weddings and corporate events.

It also forecast an increase in visitor numbers of 10% per year over the next three years as well as increased sponsorship.

However, some councillors on the economic development and infrastructure services committee remained sceptical about the museum’s ability to become self-sustaining at the end of the three-year period.

Council leader Councillor Stewart Cree said he did not wish to be a ‘prophet of doom’ but from the figures before the committee the Moray Society appeared to be an organisation whose costs were increasing while its income was decreasing.

Council convener Councillor Allan Wright added: “To my mind the business plan just does not stack up.”

Members voted seven to six to refuse the funding application.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.