MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL REPORT FOR INFORMATION UPDATE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF WAR MEMORIALS, CIVIC STATUES AND PUBLIC ART

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1 MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL REPORT FOR INFORMATION COMMITTEE: FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE DATE: 12 th JANUARY 2006 SUBJECT: REPORT OF: UPDATE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF WAR MEMORIALS, CIVIC STATUES AND PUBLIC ART DIRECTOR OF MANCHESTER CITY GALLERIES PURPOSE OF REPORT: To present a progress report on the on-going survey work and improvement programme for Manchester City Council s war memorials, civic statues & public art RECOMMENDATIONS: That the report is noted FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE REVENUE BUDGET: None at present. Future need (2008 and beyond) to be determined by current programme of research and analysis. FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET: 225K already secured for a three-year strategic programme of continuous improvement. (2005/8). WARDS AFFECTED: All CONTACT OFFICERS: Virginia Tandy, Director of Manchester City Galleries Tel: , v.tandy@manchester.gov.uk Amanda Wallace, Principal Conservation Officer, Manchester City Galleries Tel: , a.wallace@manchester.gov.uk BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Public Art Condition Survey, Report to Executive, 11 th December 2002, Second World War Commemorations, Report to Executive, 7 th July 2004, War Memorials and Public Art Improvement Programme, Project Initiation Document, September 2005 Maintenance of War Memorials, Civic Statues and Public Art, Report to Finance and General Purposes OSC, 13 th January IMPLICATIONS FOR: Anti-poverty Equal Opportunities Environment Employment None None Yes None Implications for the Environment: Work carried out will improve the quality of public spaces in the City.

2 UPDATE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF WAR MEMORIALS, CIVIC STATUES AND PUBLIC ART 1. Background Manchester City Council s portfolio contains 12 listed sculptures and memorials of significant historical and financial value located in the city centre. It also includes industrial art pieces, war memorials located across the city, recently commissioned pieces in the Northern Quarter, and a diverse range of other pieces dotted throughout the city. An initial survey conducted by Manchester City Galleries in 2002 identified in excess of 280 items across the city. Subsequent investigation has added a further 104 items to this list and research is underway to resolve duplication and ownership issues. Following a report to the Executive in December 2002, 20,000 was awarded form the City Centre Initiatives Fund to pay for conservation condition reports for 21 war memorials and sculptural works. Concurrent with this, 200,000 was secured from the City s Capital Programme to fund the cleaning, conservation and re-landscaping of the Cenotaph and 7 other war memorials as part of the Valuing Older People initiative s recognition of the 60 th anniversary of the end of World War II. The City Galleries has subsequently been successful in securing 225,000 ( 75K pa) for war memorials and public art as part of the City Council s Asset Management Programme of works for Completion of Work to Date 2.1. Surveys 28 priority works of art and war memorials have been surveyed by conservation specialists at National Museums Liverpool, and proposals for treatment have been drawn up. This work was financed with the 20K from the City Centre Initiatives Fund and items were selected by City Galleries according to historic, artistic and financial value. The following works were surveyed and illustrated reports received: Abraham Lincoln Bishop Fraser Boer War Memorial Cromwell Doves of peace Duke of Wellington Edward VII James Watt John Bright Messenger of Peace Richard Cobden Sir Robert Peel Watt Jubilee Fountain Cenotaph, St. Peters Square Lychgate (St Margaret s, Burnage) Didsbury War Memorial Northenden War memorial Ardwick War memorial Clayton War memorial Collyhurst War memorial. Blackley War Memorial Gladstone John Dalton Rhodes memorial Clock, Didsbury Queen Victoria and monument Oliver Heywood

3 2.2. Physical Improvements to War Memorials a) Cenotaph, St. Peters Square A comprehensive programme of improvement was completed for the Cenotaph, St. Peter s Cross, and the Cenotaph Gardens in time for WWI and WWII commemorative events. The memorials were cleaned and consolidated, and damaged areas were filled. All stonework was re-pointed and a biocide applied to reduce future staining. During cleaning it was noted that the top of St. Peter s cross was loose, and this was fixed with a steel cramp. Around the foot of St. Peters Cross, new Portland stone plinths were produced to protect and enhance the memorial plaques, and a newly commissioned memorial plaque was installed. Around the memorials, the paving and kerbs were re-laid or replaced, new drains were installed, and the perimeter walling and seating was cleaned and repaired. The gardens were extensively re-landscaped; new turf was laid, and mature yew hedging and four column oaks were planted. b) World War II Memorials 3 World War II memorials in Northenden, Didsbury, Ardwick were prioritised for completion by July 2005 in time for national VE/VJ day celebrations. All stonework was cleaned to remove biological growth and dirt. Cracks and friable areas were consolidated, and losses were filled or capped over to prevent further erosion. Any bronze fittings were treated to remove corrosion and protected with an appropriate coating. Surrounding trees were pruned back to reduce overshadowing and improve access, and railings were repaired and re-painted. Hard surfaces around the memorials were cleaned and, at Ardwick Green, were resurfaced with resin-bound gravel. Where necessary surrounding beds were re-dug and replanted. c) World War I Memorials 3 World War I memorials at Burnage, Clayton Park and Collyhurst were programmed for completion by November 11 th 2005 in time for Remembrance Sunday commemorations. In Burnage and Clayton, all stonework was cleaned and graffiti removed. Any damaged stone was replaced, and joints were re-pointed. At Clayton, stone kerbs and a root barrier were installed, paving repaired, and gravel replaced around the base of the memorial. New oak gates, based on one surviving original leaf, were commissioned at Burnage and security lighting with new electricity supply was installed. Trees were pruned or removed, and gravel drains were dug around the base of the walls to reduce splash back and moss growth. A second phase of work is planned, dependent on a successful grant application to the War Memorials Trust. It is proposed to replace the existing tarmac with York stone, re-roof the structure, and replace missing, rotting or damaged wood. Work on the WWI memorial on Rochdale Road in Collyhurst was partially completed for Remembrance Sunday. Existing railings were repaired and repainted, the surrounding tarmac was cleaned and surface water drainage was installed. Due to delays caused by anti-social behaviour it was not possible to complete the stonework conservation within the original timeframe. An extensive programme of conservation and repair (including replacing damaged stone and re-cutting

4 commemorations) will re-commence in March 2006 when the weather is more suited to the specialist nature of the work. 3. The Current Programme of Work (2005/8) Building on previous work, Manchester City Galleries have begun a 3-year programme of improvements for all public art and war memorials as part of the City Council s Asset Management Programme. Galleries have secured 75K per annum for 2005/8 to improve the condition and appearance of key works of public art and war memorials, put a framework in place to support a cost-efficient and sustainable programme of maintenance for all works held by the City, and develop policies for the commissioning of new works of public art in the city. In addition, a policy will be drawn up for adding names to existing memorials in response to requests from Manchester residents. The programme will be delivered as follows: Year One (2005/6) 1. Completion of outstanding work on 7 war memorials for Remembrance Sunday (basic work for the Lychgate). 2. Produce inventory of City Council public art and war memorials. 3. Submit application to English Heritage for financial support for full scheme for the Lychgate at Burnage (max 20K grant) 4. Development of database with existing historical/artistic information, locations and images. Year Two (2006/7) 1. Appointment of Public Art and Memorials Officer to develop database and policy, manage contractors and undertake basic remedial works. 2. Complete scheme for the Lychgate (dependent on successful application to English Heritage). 3. Begin implementation of recommendations from condition surveys of works, and identify priorities. 4. Develop database to include condition assessment of all key works, detailed photographic records, treatment/maintenance proposals 5. Complete War memorial list accurate records of conflicts and personal/regimental commemoration. 6. A checklist for the commissioning of new works of public art in the city that will ensure that the long-term conservation/maintenance requirement of works can be met. Year Three (2007/8) 1. Continue programme of physical improvements - additional key works (to be confirmed) cleaned, re-pointed etc. 2. Complete database of public art and memorials make publicly accessible through Galleries website. 3. Draw up specifications for work (graffiti removal, cleaning, pointing and basic maintenance, coatings, vegetation management, drainage improvements etc.).

5 4. Audit of existing skills and services within City Council and identification of training and resource needs. 5. Develop Policy to inform commissioning of future war memorials, and process for adding to or amending existing war memorials. 6. Proposal for future funding package prepared for rolling programme of maintenance. 4. Conclusion This programme of work will significantly improve the management regime of these important landmarks and improve the quality of the environment in neighbourhoods across the city. It will also enable Manchester City Council to respond swiftly, consistently and sympathetically to requests for amendments to war memorials by relatives of servicemen and women killed in conflicts in the 20 th and 21 st centuries. 5. Recommendation That the report is noted.