Exeter celebrates museum rates legal victory

Exeter City Council has secured a landmark ruling over the rateable valuation of the city’s Grade II listed Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM).

The Court of Appeal ruled that the rateable value of the museum should drop from £445,000 to just £1.

According to the council, the decision will have a significant impact on the way many English and Welsh museums are valued in the future, especially those in similar listed buildings with high operating costs.

Due to the importance to the sector, it was supported in its appeal by Arts Council, England (ACE) and the National Museum Directors Council (NMDC).

‘We are relieved by the outcome which is good news for RAMM but also the sector as a whole,’ said the council’s cabinet member for climate and culture, Cllr Rachel Sutton.

‘Like all other local authorities, Exeter is facing huge financial challenges and the new rateable value will represent a substantial saving at a critical time.

‘The judgment recognises the reality of the public subsidy required for a museum that is highly valued by its community but has an intrinsic cost.  Many other museums and local authorities will find themselves in a similar position and our hope all along was that this judgement would also benefit other museums and the communities they serve,’ she added.

‘We are extremely grateful to ACE and NMDC. Without their support this landmark case would have been too costly for us, as a district council, to pursue.’

The chair of Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, added: ‘We were very happy to support Exeter City Council and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery in pursuing this case, and we are delighted that they were successful in defeating the Appeal.

‘This is a significant judgement which will benefit many museums across the country, ensuring that their resources can be used to concentrate on what they do best – conserving collections and delivering stimulating experiences for their communities.’

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