Concerns raised about Cannock Chase museum group’s challenges obtaining information from council
A group hoping to keep the Museum of Cannock Chase running for future generations has faced challenges in obtaining important documents from the district council, a community leader has said.
Councillor Andrea Muckley, who represents the Hednesford Hills and Rawnsley Ward, highlighted Chase Heritage Group’s struggle at the latest full council meeting.
The community group is hoping to get the museum reopened after it was closed earlier this year.
Cannock Chase Council made the controversial decision to shut the museum and Prince of Wales Theatre to help balance its budget, but has pledged to work with groups interested in taking on the cultural venues.
Last month, the council’s cabinet was informed that a new leisure contract was being procured, which was due to start from April 2026.
Cabinet members are due to be asked to approve the appointment of the preferred contractor in December and the process prompted a question to the latest full council meeting from Councillor Muckley.
She said: “In the meetings that I attended following the notification that the museum and theatre were to be closed because the current provider (IHL) could not operate them without incurring significant losses, I asked a question of the lead officer for Health and Wellbeing and the Deputy CEO for Resources whether it would be possible to add the theatre and museum in to the new tendering process.
"Just because the current provider cannot run these facilities sustainably does not mean that no provider could.
“I was told that we could consider it at the time of tendering. Recently I understand, and the public and councillors may have seen this on their recent Facebook post, that Chase Heritage, the voluntary group trying to save the museum’s future, have had significant difficulties in liaising and negotiating with as well as obtaining important documentation from this council.
“Can I ask the portfolio holder whether this lack of communication on the part of the council is because they have decided to add the museum and theatre back into their leisure portfolio and include it in the tender, thus making this commercially sensitive?
"I cannot see mention of either the museum or theatre in the report in the agenda for the cabinet meeting of July 3, but I cannot conceive of another reason why negotiations with these charitable groups should have stalled.”
Council deputy leader David Williams said: “I can confirm the theatre and museum are not part of the current leisure procurement process.
"The current contract procurement relates to our sports and leisure and the theatre and museum remain separate.
“The delays and difficulties are not related to commercial sensitivity.
They are due to the complex nature and due diligence required and we have a responsibility to ensure any future operator can demonstrate financial viability and competence.
“Officers received an additional request from the heritage group for more information and officers are considering this request.
"I understand this can feel frustrating for community groups and we acknowledge the passion for these assets as we have that passion too, but due diligence is essential.
“I can commit to asking officers to review what additional information can be provided to Chase Heritage and what information cannot be shared at this stage.
"We are committed to finding a sustainable solution for these cultural assets.”
