AN in-depth review of the working and long- term funding arrangements of Haslemere Museum is set to get the go-ahead from Waverley Borough Council next week. It is hoped the proposed review will result in the appointment of a development and fund- raising officer, to raise extra money for the cash-strapped museum "We don't have enough money," Alan Perry, the chairman of Haslemere Museum, told The Herald. Often described as the jewel in the town's crown, the museum has continued to fight for grant funding from both Waverley and Haslemere Town Council for a number of years, with Waverley arguing that the museum's reserves ensure that it is not a priority for funding. But now with interest from endowments failing to cover its running expenses, the museum "needs to raise money from other sources," according to Mr Perry. "We have asked for between £25,000 and £28,000 from Waverley over a 24-month period, to get somebody in to start raising enough funds," he said. "Luckily we have people with a knowledge of fundraising who who can help and give us guidance. "The museum is Haslemere's greatest asset, it is unusual and no other town has a museum like this. It's not a typical stuffy old museum, it is a community museum." But he continued: "We been very lucky with bequests which have kept us going, but we can't rely on that and we have got to do something ourselves." Mr Perry said he was "very appreciative" of the help given by Waverley and Haslemere Town Council. Speaking of innovations undertaken at the museum over recent years since its major refurbishment, Mr Perry said that the educational department had been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. That cash was due to end last year, but the department is now continuing thanks to a large bequest and was "going from strength to strength". Lectures, exhibitions, general events and other hirings of the museum rooms were also helping to balance the books. There are also other initiatives, including more intensive use of the grounds for wildlife study, and the museum is currently involved in talks with other agencies as part of a five-year management plan. "We have to ask local authorities for funding," said Mr Perry, who had high praise for the museum's curator, Julia Tanner. "She spends a huge amount of her time asking for money," he said. "Not only is she the curator, she is also the museum administrator and more like a chief executive." "All in all it is hard work. but we are very optimistic because I think we have got a fabulous asset, not just for the town but much further afield." The review, if it is agreed by members of the environment and leisure overview and scrutiny committee, will examine and focus on addressing a number of key questions. Among them is the history of the museum, what is has to offer the community now and in the future, and how it compares with Farnham's museum. It will also consider how the museum can continue to be sustainable, what the long-term funding opportunities are and the condition of the building. Planned to be conducted along the lines of a parliamentary select committee investigation, the review is expected to examine the social and community implications of museums in towns in Waverley, including both Farnham and Godalming museums. It is planned to first gather information from the museum, its trustees and possibly retired trustees, to obtain accurate background information on the running and financing of the museum and the state of the buildings. In June and July the review is expected to establish the museum's current funding arrangements and its future plans, as well as pinpointing any specific issues which may affect it. Officers and trustees will also look into long- term funding opportunities for the future, and there will be a hearing to which trustees and Haslemere Museum will be invited. The committee's draft report will also be considered at this time. It is planned to publish the findings of the review in November.