Priceless artefacts ‘at risk of theft’ (From York Press)

Priceless artefacts ‘at risk of theft’

9:53am Tuesday 1st January 2013 in News By Press reporter

CITY leaders are to decide whether to urge museum bosses in York to review how they store their priceless collections amid claims some artefacts are at risk of being stolen or lost.

A task group set up by City of York Council to look at the work of York Museums Trust concluded the auditing process for its historic items was not rigorous enough and closer monitoring was needed of any items which were in line for disposal.

The group’s report said the trust’s acquisition and disposal policy should have been updated six years ago and was in urgent need of refreshing.

The trust should also provide the council with a list of artefacts it wants to dispose of twice a year. It also said not disposing of unwanted, duplicate or damaged items had delayed work on collections and the trust’s future plans.

A council scrutiny committee has since made a series of recommendations, including asking the trust to draw up a new acquisition and disposal policy by May.

The authority’s cabinet will decide whether these should be agreed when it meets next week.