BOROUGH leader David Renard wants to “reset the relationship” between his the Conservative council and the Friends of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery.

Cabinet member for regeneration culture and heritage Dale Heenan resigned on Wednesday after he became embroiled in a row with the Friends’ group – and Coun Renard said the appointment of a new member to the portfolio gave an opportunity for renewal.

The dispute was over the future of Apsley House – the home of the museum and gallery in Bath Road which has been closed since March 2020. Friends' chairman Linda Kasmaty was alarmed at a document which recommended Coun Heenan approve the building’s closure for good and disposal.

Coun Renard said: “I will be looking at who will best fit the job over the weekend – there are some members who have put their hat in the ring and we have a lot of new talent in the Conservative group.”

He added: “It’s important the administration and the Friends work together on this. I hope both parties can re-engage in a positive manner.”
He added: “The important thing is what happens to the collections. 

"We know that Apsley House is not very suitable – it can only display about 10 per cent of the collection and the number of visitors was very low before the pandemic. It needs to be made accessible and I saw the original programme recently when it was opened in 1964 as a temporary facility.

"The question is whether it makes sense to spe4nd a significant sum of money to reopen it knowing it’s not fit for purpose in the short term.”

The council has ambitious plans for a new purpose-built museum and gallery in the town centre as part of its cultural quarter plans and is also looking at exhibiting some of its collection in other locations around town.

Coun Renard said: “The overriding principle is to make sure as many people as possible get to see the art and the artefacts.”

Ms Kasmaty welcomed the olive branch from Coun Renard – but said the fundamental issue about what would happen to the museum and art gallery’s collections remained.

She said: “We do have to work together. We have worked together will in the past – and have had a good relationship.

“The trouble is there is still a wide gap in our positions. Coun Renard wants the art collection to be scattered around town, and we want it to be in the art gallery.

“The idea that a town the size of Swindon doesn’t have a proper art gallery and museum open is not good enough.”

Ms Kasmaty pointed out the quality of the modern art collection that is currently not available to view. She said Swindon had lent a picture to the Lightbox Gallery in Woking,which is showing a retrospective of the painter Michael Ayrton. 

She said: “The gallery is using the picture leant by Swindon as the poster for the whole exhibition – that shows the quality of the collection we have here. 

“We think the council needs to spend some money to get the building open so the people of Swindon can enjoy their collection again.”

Ms Kasmaty said he was excited about the council’s future plans for its collections but they are still a long way off. 

“We’re fully behind the council’s plans for the cultural quarter but that’s years away," she said. "That doesn’t solve the problem of not having an art gallery and museum open now.”

Old Town ward councillor Jane Milner-Barry said: “We look forward to working with the new cabinet member to get the museum re-opened as soon as possible.”

A full report will be put to the cabinet, probably in September, with options for the future of Apsley House and the museum and gallery.