The Chelmsford Museum, soon to be rebranded the Museum of Chelmsford, is getting a huge increase in the cost of visits. This is going to make a Chelmsford treasure in the Moulsham and Central Ward in the constituency a less desirable place to visit. The Museum was completely refurbished and extended in 2019 by the Conservatives and the admission was free then. The tired old museum, full of stuffed animals and ancient relics needed to change or close.
With the help of a £1.5m National Lottery Grant, a team of officers and Members changed almost everything – except the famous bees – and made it the story of Chelmsford’s wonderful history. Adding the Hive and more parking made it popular with old and young alike.
Now, the Liberal Democrat run Chelmsford City Council, amidst their financial morass, is increasing costs to £4 per visit with the option of £20 or £30 annual fee for one or two people from Wednesday the 2nd of April, 2025. Is this because of Vanity projects undertaken by the Liberal Democrats?
The backstory to this is the significant budget gaps the Liberal Democrats run Chelmsford City Council has experienced since 2019 when the council controlled changed from the Conservatives. A £4m budget gap is forecasted for the 2025-26 financial year and potentially up to £13.3m by 2030. Local government reorganisation currently on the cards might save Chelmsford.
This financial challenge of the council has led directly to ‘council tax’ being increased through the back door with many examples such as brown bin charges and parking charge increases to plug the significant gaps.
It is noteworthy that many of these services were free under the Conservatives who displayed more astute financial competence during their stewardship of the council.
It is yet to be seen how Chelmsford residents will react to these cost-of-living tariffs being imposed on them by the City Council.
At the time of writing, more information is available at https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/news/memberships-and-admissions-t…
