Funding threat over museum cuts

Three people have lost their jobs at the museum

A Staffordshire museum has been warned it could lose out on funding because of job cuts made by a council.

Three jobs have been axed at The Potteries Museum, in Stoke-on-Trent, which has one of the finest collections of ceramics in the world.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) said it feared more cuts and may withdraw its support.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said it would meet the MLAC to discuss its concerns.

The MLAC said it believed a further 14 jobs could be cut at the museum.

'Vitally important'

Jon Finch, chief executive, said: "We feel that it has a massive role to play, not only in the leisure area but also in things like health, regeneration, economic development and tourism.

"It's vitally important that the council is able to resource their cultural services sufficiently."

Julie Seddon, the city council's director of community services, said it was looking at efficiency savings across the authority but "values its museums and their track record of achievement".

She added: "We want to ensure we have the opportunity to build on this success and remain a key partner in this important regional museums programme.

"We will be in discussion with the Museums Libraries and Archives Council to discuss their concerns and find an appropriate way forward."