The Director of Communities and Citizens Services decides as follows:

1.       To confirm minor changes to the charging model for the Museum of Oxford as delegated by Cabinet to the Director of Communities and Citizens Services as outlined in Appendix 1.

Oxford City Council Leisure Services give discounts to people on most benefits and those who have no recourse to public funds – see Leisure Centre Discounts | Oxford City Council. 

On 22 October 2025, Cabinet voted that those in receipt of state benefits and those who have no recourse to public funds would gain free entry to the Museum of Oxford. Appendix 1 of this report brings the list of state benefit and no recourse to public funds eligibility for entry to the museum in line with Leisure Services.  A one-year pass will be given to all those who qualify. 

On 22 October 2025, Cabinet voted to allow Museum of Oxford volunteers to have a free entry plus one to the museum. 

In response to considering access for people who had contributed to a temporary exhibition, it was recognised that the people who are involved in this often come from marginalised groups as the exhibitions are designed to tell the stories of people whose voices may not otherwise be heard.  It was also recognised that significant volunteering hours are undertaken by communities to create these exhibitions. 

In order to ensure fairness, the decision is to recognise the volunteering involved in  creating exhibitions and enable those who have contributed a significant amount of volunteer hours to have free entry with a plus one for a year, along with others who volunteer e.g. those who run town hall tours, workshops and walks as volunteers and those who volunteer as trustees on the Museum Development Trust.

The decision ensures the Museum of Oxford remains accessible for Oxford residents who may not otherwise be able to afford to visit.

It acknowledges and rewards community engagement, fostering stronger community relationships.

It encourages participation in exhibitions and projects supporting the museum’s cultural development goals.

The decision provides clarity to the public and staff regarding who is eligible for free and concessionary entry ensuring fairness and consistency in applying discounts.

It provides staff with a reference guide for verification, reducing ambiguity and disputes.

The decision will also enable the Museum of Oxford to continue to provide warm space support for those who need it most during colder months.

If the decision is not taken, there is a risk that people may not be clear about the eligibility for free and discounted entry and that this could affect access to the museum, including for those who need warm space support in colder months. 

The alternative option considered was to restrict free entry for people who had contributed volunteer hours towards the creation of an exhibition only for the duration of the exhibition.  The decision to make this for a year was to enable fairness between different types of volunteering as not everyone can give time on a regular basis and to encourage more visits by people from diverse backgrounds.