HERITAGE groups have accused the council of giving them the cold shoulder over future plans for the fire-damaged contents of an old museum.

A total of 130 historic objects from the Coate Agricultural Museum Store, which were damaged by a fire in December 2016, have become the subject of a fierce row following one councillor’s decision to “dispose” of the items.

Councillor Garry Perkins, the cabinet member responsible for regeneration, earlier this month put his signature to a document authorising the council to search for an alternative place to house the antiquated objects.

They are currently held in protective storage at an estimated cost to the public purse of £40,000.

Mike Pringle, director of the Richard Jefferies Museum in Coate, said he was disappointed that the town’s heritage groups had not been consulted by Coun Perkins before the decision was taken to rehome the collection.

He said: “It’s a shame that Swindon’s heritage seems to be disappearing under our noses and I hope we can salvage as many items as we possibly can.”

He sympathised with the council’s position, recognising that the authority has neither the money nor the resources to store the pieces indefinitely. However, he lamented the “complete lack of communication” on the part of the council, adding: “All they had to do was talk to people.”

The decision to press ahead with the disposal was issued via a cabinet member’s decision note, mechanisms which allow cabinet members to take decisions without the usual degree of public scrutiny.

This, Mike said, was wrong. “How is that democracy that one person can make a decision like that without consulting anyone?”

The Adver understands that even members of the Heritage Board, which has discussed the agricultural museum at regular meetings since the fire, was not consulted about the plans.

The disposal of the agricultural collection was first proposed in 1991 and again in 2008, but no action was taken.

Some of the historical objects have been identified as not being relevant to these museums, so are now being offered free of charge to others if they express a particular interest.

Coun Perkins said: “We have received several expressions of interest from a number of museums regarding these items. However, as the two month offering period is still underway, no decisions have been made regarding the future of the historical objects.

“We are working hard to ensure that these items go to the most suitable location where they can be restored and displayed. We are keen to see these items go to new homes, especially to other museums in Swindon where residents can enjoy them.”