# The Care of Cathedrals Rules 2006, Paragraph 8: Opportunity for museum to purchase object of treasure


(1) If the Commission decides to approve a proposal for the sale or other disposal of an object of treasure other than a loan, and other than a disposal to the specified museum on terms already agreed with that museum, then unless the specified museum has confirmed in writing that it has no interest in purchasing the object, the Commission shall—
(a) specify a reasonable period of time, which shall not be less than 4 months after the purchase price to be paid on a purchase by the specified museum under section 6A(4)(b) has been determined under sub-paragraph (3) below, during which the specified museum shall have the opportunity to purchase the object at the purchase price so determined; and
(b) direct that upon the expiry of such period without such purchase having taken place (or upon the specified museum confirming in writing that it does not wish to purchase the object, if sooner) the object may be sold in accordance with the proposal approved by the Commission subject to any conditions specified by the Commission under paragraph 7(2) above.
(2) The Commission shall have power from time to time, on the application of either the Chapter or the specified museum or both jointly, to extend the period specified under sub-paragraph (1)(a) above as it considers reasonable in the circumstances, and if the Commission refuses any such application the applicant or applicants may apply to the Vicar-General, who shall have the like power to extend that period.
(3) If the Commission gives its approval to any such proposal as is referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above the following provisions shall then apply for the purpose of determining the price (in this paragraph referred to as “the purchase price”) to be paid for the object of treasure concerned on a purchase by the specified museum under section 6A(4)(b)—
(a) the Chapter and the specified museum may each obtain written valuations from one or more independent valuers with experience of the market nationally and internationally;
(b) the Chapter and the specified museum shall jointly request a valuation from any independent panel of experts for the time being established or approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of establishing the market value of objects under section 10 of the Treasure Act 1996 and shall supply to that panel copies of any valuations obtained under paragraph (a) above;
(c) if any such panel as is referred to in paragraph (b) above provides such a valuation, then subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below that valuation shall be the purchase price;
(d) if—
(i) there is no such panel; or
(ii) any such panel declines to provide such a valuation; or
(iii) any such panel provides such a valuation but within 14 days of receiving the valuation either the Chapter or the specified museum or both declare in writing that it or they wish the matter to be referred to the Vicar-General;
the Chapter and the specified museum (or, in the case of a reference following a valuation within paragraph (c) above, whichever of them has declared a wish for such a reference) shall refer the determination of the purchase price to the Vicar-General.
(e) On any such reference to the Vicar-General—
(i) the Chapter and the specified museum shall submit to the Vicar-General any valuations obtained under paragraph (a) above, any valuation within paragraph (b) above and any further written valuation or valuations obtained by either the Chapter or the specified museum from such independent valuers as are referred to in paragraph (a) above;
(ii) the Vicar-General may issue any such directions as he or she thinks fit for the purpose of the reference; and
(iii) when the Vicar-General is satisfied that he or she has been supplied with sufficient information he or she shall determine the purchase price and notify it in writing to the Chapter, the specified museum and the Commission.
(f) On receipt by the Commission of notification of a determination by the Vicar-General of the purchase price under paragraph (e)(iii) above, the secretary to the Commission shall send a copy to the Secretary of State or to the designated person if any.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/1941/schedule/1/paragraph/8 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/care-of-cathedrals-rules-2006/schedule-1/paragraph-8
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.