Ipswich and Colchester are looking to improve their museums services by working together to increase funding opportunities and share expertise. A possible partnership between the council-run services follows discussions about opportunities to work in partnership in a number of fields. However, even if joint working is agreed, Ipswich’s collections will remain in the Borough’s ownership.
Ipswich and Colchester are partners in the Haven Gateway and Regional Cities East (RCE) and the museum proposals would further break down traditional organisational boundaries. It would also bring together the great strengths of each town - Colchester’s late Iron Age and Roman collections and Ipswich’s Anglo-Saxon heritage.
No decisions have been taken yet. The next steps will be to produce an outline framework proposal setting out the business case, the opportunities for a combined service and an initial draft timetable. A decision will then be taken by both councils. At the same time a process of communication and consultation both with staff and a range of external bodies will be undertaken.