Museums and Galleries (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

PART III MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES PROVIDED BY DISTRICT COUNCILS

Provision and maintenance of museums and galleries by district councils

12.—(1) A district council, either alone or together with another district council or any other person, may provide and maintain museums and galleries.

(2) A district council may acquire land otherwise than by agreement for the purposes of paragraph (1).

(3) A district council may pay to another district council sums by way of contribution towards the expenses of the maintenance or provision of a museum or gallery by that other council.

(4) A district council may make grants towards the expenses of the maintenance or provision of a museum or gallery by any person.

(5) A district council shall consult with the Department and such other bodies as the Department may determine before exercising—

(a) any power mentioned in paragraph (1) in so far as that power relates to the provision of a museum or gallery; or

(b) any power mentioned in paragraph (4) in so far as that power relates to the making of grants towards the expenses of the provision of a museum or gallery.

(6) In this Article “provide” and “maintain” have the meanings assigned by section 147 of the [1972 c. 9 (N.I.).] Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.

Bye-laws concerning museums and galleries

13.—(1) A district council may from time to time make bye-laws—

(a) regulating admission (including the making of charges) to museums and galleries maintained by the council or to any part thereof;

(b) regulating the conduct of persons in such museums and galleries;

(c) for the preservation of property vested in the council or in its custody for the purposes of such museums and galleries;

(d) otherwise securing the efficient administration of such museums and galleries.

(2) Without prejudice to section 93 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, bye-laws made by virtue of paragraph (1) may authorise persons employed by the district council and members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary after due warning to remove or exclude from any museum or gallery maintained by the council a person who commits, or who is reasonably suspected of committing, an offence against any such bye-law or against section 4 of the [1824 c. 83.] Vagrancy Act 1824.

Grants

14.—(1) The Department may make grants towards such expenses of a district council in carrying out its functions under Article 12 as may be approved by the Department.

(2) Grants under this Article shall be at such rates or of such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Department may determine.