Section 12 Summary of recommendations
BY 2007
A Culture Bill should be introduced by 2007. We recommend:
Rights and entitlements
1) That existing relevant international, European and UK rights (as outlined above) are acknowledged and endorsed in legislation (section 4.5).
2) That there be four cultural rights, prepared by Scottish Ministers and recorded in legislation as follows: (section 4.5)
3) That these rights should be considered as permissive and reviewed on a statutory cycle (section 4.5).
4) That national cultural standards be established for direction and guidance in the provision and delivery of publicly-funded services in: (section 4.5)
libraries and archives
heritage, galleries and museums
creative industries
architecture and the built environment
the arts
languages for which Scots are the chief custodians.
5) That these national standards be proposed by a body whose membership is demonstrably representative of its sector and Scotland's geography, and includes the voluntary, private and public sectors. This body should be endorsed by the Scottish Executive or its appointed substitute (section 4.5).
6) That these national standards be used as guidance for the preparation of local entitlements, and assessed and reviewed on a rolling basis at intervals of no less than five years (section 4.5).
7) That the responsibility for proposing and endorsing these national standards is specified in legislation (section 4.5).
8) That cultural entitlements be established in each local authority area to specify the level and nature of cultural provision by publicly funded bodies (section 4.5).
9) That these cultural entitlements be provision based and formulated by a local partnership, led by the local authority, whose membership is demonstrably representative of the cultural sector in that area and includes the voluntary, private and public sectors. This body should be endorsed by the Scottish Executive or its appointed substitute (section 4.5).
10) That these entitlements, and their means of delivery, are presented in a Local Cultural Strategy (section 4.5).
11) That these entitlements are formally assessed and reviewed on a rolling basis at least every five years (section 4.5).
12) That the responsibility for proposing, endorsing, assessing and reviewing these entitlements is specified in legislation (section 4.5).
13) That these measures replace the current legal obligation on Local Authorities to provide 'adequate' cultural provision (section 4.5).
14) That the First Minister invites Parliament to adopt an appropriate means of acknowledging the centrality of cultural life in Scotland (section 4.5).
Delivery
15) Responsibility for the National Archives of Scotland should rest with the Minister with responsibility for Culture to ensure joint working with the other national collections and to develop further its citizen focus (section 6.19).
16) A long-term strategic plan for the development and sustainable financing of museums and galleries, linked to the development of national standards by the sector, is created and implemented (section 6.19).
National status
17) That 'national' status should be defined by Parliament, that the cohort of bodies/organisations with 'national' status should be open to change and that 'national' status be subject to continuing ability to meet the terms defined by Parliament (section 7.12).
18) The establishment in legislation of a Board of Scottish National Performing Companies and a Board of National Institutions with Collections (section 7.12).
National companies and institutions
19) On satisfactory completion of the best value review, and prior to establishing the National Board, that the national performing companies have increased baseline investment and any outstanding deficits cleared (section 7.12).
On international perspective
20) That an International Unit should be established within any new cultural infrastructure (section 7.12).
Creative individuals
21) Support for creative Individuals becomes a discrete part of a single agency (section 7.12).
Local government
22) Legislation to amend The Local Government In Scotland Act 2003 in order to make culture a specific key strategic theme within the Community Planning system (section 8.13).
23) That local government be represented in any new model of cultural infrastructure (section 8.13).
Private sector
24) That Cultural Enterprise Offices should be developed further, and integrated with any new cultural infrastructure development (section 8.13).
Think Tank
25) That the Think Tank function should be a discrete element sponsored by the new cultural infrastructure model (section 8.13).
Making better use of public investment
26) That the lead agency should be tasked to improve the collection, co-ordination and recording of data (section 9.7).
27) That the lead agency adopt an agreed system of business plan evaluation (section 9.7).
28) That the lead agency mentor and validate a system of self assessment (section 9.7).
Infrastructure
29) That the proposals outlined in Option I be used as the basis for reconfiguring the organisational infrastructure of the cultural sector in Scotland (section 10.13).
On education
30) That learning in and through the arts be given a higher profile in the implementation of the Curriculum Review, any re-examination of Initial Teacher Education and in the development of Quality Improvement Frameworks in schools (section 5.14).
31) That cultural activity be recognised and adopted as the key methodology for all children and young people aged 3 to 18 and that priority be given to early learning from 3 to 8 years (section 5.14).
32) That entitlement schemes such as the Culture Vouchers or Cheques should be piloted by the Scottish Executive (section 5.14).
33) A national conference on transport, young people and the cultural sector (section 5.14).
34) Full funding for the Bookstart programme and its proposed extensions (section 5.14).
35) The funding of the visioning and design process as proposed by The Lighthouse for every school building and refurbishment project. See Annex F for details (section 5.14).
36) That the Creative Links scheme be maintained and extended (section 5.14).
37) That Determined to Succeed be broadened to include cultural enterprise (section 5.14).
38) Support for the draft Bill on improved parental involvement in school (section 5.14).
39) A review to consider improvements in community and parent access to schools, while taking into account school security and the impacts of the Disclosure Scotland scheme on cultural workers (section 5.14).
40) Support for the creative industries initiative in the University of St Andrews (section 5.14).
41) Courses in Scottish HE and FE that relate to art, music, the performing arts and writing as well as the creative, scientific or technical industries should include a module on intellectual property (section 5.14).
On delivery
42) That the Minister with responsibility for Culture and the Department should lead on ensuring that all Scottish Executive Departments and public agencies are aware of their responsibilities to deliver cultural activity and review regularly their opportunities and capability to do so (section 6.19).
43) That the Scottish Executive identifies and implements means of bringing the cultural and tourism sectors together more effectively (section 6.19).
44) That Scottish Enterprise issue specific guidance to its LECS on proactive support to creative micro-businesses, individuals and the cultural sector (section 6.19).
45) That the SAC, SLIC and SMC should pursue the ideas promoted to develop the various sectors contained in the submissions to the Commission (section 6.19).
46) That a Board of National Collections be established to ensure more effective and strategic operation of the national collections (section 6.19).
47) A national council for libraries be created to shape and propose national standards for libraries, and that the National Librarian should have a formal focus in this (section 6.19).
48) A scheme to identify library collections of particular significance in Scotland should be undertaken by the National Library of Scotland (section 6.19).
On national companies and institutions
49) A best value review of SAC core-funded organisations (section 7.12).
50) Clear, simplified funding contracts between the Scottish Executive or its appointed representative and the national companies and institutions detailing performance expectation and level of public investment (section 7.12).
On creative individuals
51) That a national awards scheme for creative individuals should be introduced (section 7.12).
On architecture, design and the built environment
52) The creation of a National Estates Forum with representatives of the cultural estate, to include Scottish Executive, its relevant agencies, local authorities, National Trust for Scotland, A+DS, The Lighthouse and the Church Estates (section 7.12).
53) That early referral to A+DS for advice on good practice become an accepted part of the procurement process and that the Scottish Executive should consider developing this into a statutory role (section 7.12).
54) That a guideline for good practice in design of the public estate should be prepared and implemented (section 7.12).
55) That the programme for raising awareness of architecture and design issues in schools and colleges should be extended and early advice sought by local authorities from the facility proposed by The Lighthouse (section 7.12).
56) That a report be commissioned by the Scottish Executive to consider how to involve the best Scottish talent in the design of the public estate, and to address issues of good practice (section 7.12).
On cultural planning
57) That community planning be adopted as the operational cornerstone for delivery of culture locally and nationally and that best practice be shared (section 8.13).
58) That the Scottish Executive should establish and support a Commission, or similar body, to consider further cultural diversity in Scotland and how best to achieve the successful balance of different cultures within a united country (section 8.13).
On local government
59) That local authorities should take the lead in establishing and servicing Cultural Planning Partnerships which include the voluntary, private and public sectors (section 8.13).
On the voluntary sector
60) That the research undertaken by Bonnar Keenlyside on the Commission's behalf should be shared widely (section 8.13).
61) That a national online resource providing information and advice, and the opportunity for the sector to develop a collective voice and to provide peripheral and remote communities with a reference point be developed (section 8.13).
62) Funding for the voluntary cultural sector to participate fully in cultural community planning (section 8.13).
63) That public sector agencies should review their funding procedures to ensure that they are straightforward and clear (section 8.13).
On the private sector
64) That the Scottish Executive's International Strategy should include liaison with, and encouragement of, The Scotland Funds project (section 8.13).
65) That the Scottish Executive promotes to the UK Government improved measures to encourage private sector donations and contributions to cultural causes (section 8.13).
66) That the Scottish Executive supports the Goodison proposals for tax breaks for donations to museums (section 8.13).
67) That the cultural infrastructure should develop a facility to encourage individual and corporate giving, and ensure appropriate recognition in return (section 8.13).
68) That partnership with business should be integrated at all levels of cultural planning and government across Scotland (section 8.13).
On the creative industries
69) That a national creative industries sectoral council should be created. Its functions would include: developing national standards for the sector, a more coherent approach to development of the sector, improving the public profile and status of the creative industries, assisting strategic coherence between existing initiatives and identifying areas of the sector requiring new initiatives (section 8.13).
70) That schools should be encouraged to make visual and design literacy prominent and present cultural and creative industries as viable career choices (section 8.13).
71) That the Scottish Executive should develop a digital media strategy. It should address connecting professional training with the needs of the industry, promoting and rewarding excellence, encouraging the use of home-grown talent, retention of skilled individuals; encouraging partnership work with private sector investors (section 8.13).
72) That the Scottish Executive should continue to lobby for commissioning by broadcasters to be located in Scotland (section 8.13).
73) That the Scottish Executive should explore options for using Scotland as a digital broadcasting test bed, with the support of the broadcasters and DCMS (section 8.13).
On CultureScotland.com
74) That the principles behind the CultureScotland.Com proposal are examined further by the Scottish Executive (section 8.13).
On infrastructure
75) The First Minister considers the introduction of a Deputy Minister's post for the current Tourism, Culture and Sport portfolio (section 10.13).
76) That the Scottish Executive undertakes a full analysis of the one-off costs involved in implementing the proposed organisational infrastructure (section 10.13).
On investment
77) Support for the Goodison proposals to offer incentives for private giving (section 11.10).
78) The creation of a body to provide bespoke financial, investment, advice and brokerage services for the cultural sector (section 11.10).
By 2010
On education
79) A permanent and nationally consistent Cultural Coordinators scheme, akin to the co-ordinators sports programme Active Schools, with responsibility for coordinating delivery of cultural entitlements, both strategically and operationally (section 5.14).
80) That quality standards, monitoring, and evaluation of cultural projects are developed as a reference point for cultural coordinators (section 5.14).
81) That Learning and Teaching Scotland and the National Archives of Scotland pilot a programme to produce an e-archive album for each child and to pilot individual workspaces on the internet (section 5.14).
82) A national strategy for educational materials, visits and experiences supported by companies and institutions across Scotland and co-ordinated by Learning Teaching Scotland (section 5.14).
83) That Arts & Business Scotland broker new relationships between parents' groups, cultural partners and potential business sponsors (section 5.14).
84) Support for the proposal from SHEFC to generate community benefit from a new outreach strategy that might take the form of cultural coordinators (section 5.14).
85) An audit of the CPD short courses open to teachers under the revised conditions of service and thereafter the creation of a market supported by a national system for promoting these courses. (section 5.14)
86) Support for enhanced capacity for RSAMD and strategic planning between RSAMD and the national performing companies (section 5.14).
87) That the differential in the funding of places for drama teachers in England and Scotland be rectified (section 5.14).
88) That there should be an increase in the funding for undergraduate and research places in Scottish schools of art (section 5.14).
On delivery
89) That the Scottish Executive should address the disparity in funding of Scottish theatre created by the implementation of the Boyden Report in England (section 6.19).
90) A strategy for support of the creative industries be developed by government and its agencies together with a commitment to identify the resources to implement it (section 6.19).
91) That procurement funds for public libraries should be extended to allow the purchase of a substantial proportion of those quality books and professional recordings published in Scotland and by writers living and working in Scotland (section 6.19).
92) That procurement of material for libraries should be coordinated on a regional or, where possible, national basis (section 6.19) .
93) That as part of curriculum based school activities young people of all ages should be able to visit museums and galleries of assured quality (section 6.19).
94) That everyone should have reasonable access to museums and galleries of assured quality and that the provision and development of museum and gallery services should be responsive to community needs and aspirations as articulated through community planning (section 6.19).
95) The introduction of a national approach to the measurement and evaluation of museums and galleries as a means of developing policy and recognising achievement (section 6.19).
96) The introduction of a national approach based on curatorial excellence to collecting, disposal, storage and access (section 6.19).
97) The introduction of a national approach to the development of curatorial talent in Scotland and to the attraction of curatorial expertise to Scotland (section 6.19).
98) The development of a process for recognising collections of particular significance. This process should lead to the development of policy and standards (with accompanying funding) for the preservation and enhancement of the most important collections (section 6.19).
99) Investment in a national on-line portal capable of displaying the collections of particular significance and providing the public with access to information about the museums and galleries housing them (section 6.19).
On national companies and institutions
100) That a 'best value' review of the national performing companies be undertaken including; built estates, administration, repertoire planning system, and orchestral provision (section 7.12).
On touring
101) That a Touring Exchange should be established (section 7.12).
102) That a consortium led by the lead agency (or the SAC preceding the adoption of the new infrastructure model) should develop the shape and operation of the Touring Exchange (section 7.12).
On creative individuals
103) That a national council for the creative individual be created and an inspiring name adopted (section 7.12).
On architecture, design and the built environment
104) That the National Estates Forum commission a national audit of Scotland's cultural estate, devise and propose national standards of good design and good practice, develop a national strategy for maintaining and developing the cultural estate and to prepare a case for investment (section 7.12).
On language
105) That a representative body for the indigenous languages of Scotland should be created. This body would develop standards of good practice, advocate and ensure cooperation and collaboration between existing bodies and initiatives (section 7.12).
106) That there should be a national indigenous language strategy. This could be a responsibility of the proposed new body (section 7.12).
107) That the Scottish Storytelling Centre should be resourced to develop and implement a national strategy for developing storytelling (section 7.12).
On local government
108) That financial incentives to encourage cultural planning should be provided by the Scottish Executive or its appointed agency (section 8.13).
On the voluntary sector
109) Three-year funding for established voluntary cultural sector groups (section 8.13).
110) Investment in skills and capacity to maximise groups' self-sufficiency (section 8.13).
111) The creation of a local cultural voluntary sector development officer position in each local authority (section 8.13).
112) That local authorities assume a development role, supporting and facilitating the voluntary sector (section 8.13).
On the private sector
113) Increased public sector investment in indigenous creative industries to deliver digitisation projects for the public sector, and digital programmes (section 8.13).
On the Think Tank
114) That existing cultural research and development work should be coordinated and, where gaps exist, new work be commissioned as appropriate (section 8.13).
On making better use of public investment
115) That the cultural sector should apply its effort to the development and implementation of a tailor-made system for the performance, measuring, monitoring and benchmarking of cultural information (section 9.7).
116) That key bodies in the sector should be required to adopt standard methods of recording and collating information (section 9.7).
On investment
117) Acknowledgement of the scale of the current funding gap in capital and revenue provision at almost £100m, and a strategy to address it by the Scottish Executive setting a target of 1% of their annual budget as a floor for their allocation towards cultural provision (section 11.10).
118) An audit to re-define cultural assets of 'national significance' and a consequent investment of central government funds to support them (section 11.10).
119) That a systematic audit to re-define collections and organisations of national significance is undertaken, and implemented with phased support of £20m (section 11.10).
Beyond 2010
On delivery
120) The development of joint-use libraries, particularly with schools and cultural centres, and the inclusion of library services in the development of public services hubs (section 6.19).
121) More use of permanent and temporary loans of the significant collections around Scotland (section 6.19).
On national companies and institutions
122) A single funding source for the national performing companies and national collections (section 7.12).
On creative individuals
123) A scheme of fiscal support for creators and for creative individuals (interpretive artists) should be developed and promoted to the UK government by the Scottish Executive (section 7.12).
On investment
124) Introducing incentives, including tax incentives, to encourage public and private sector investment (section 11.10).
ADDENDUM*
On youth
125) A Youth Arts Strategy Forum be created with representatives from each of the National Youth Performing Arts Companies and appropriate Scottish Executive Departments (section 7.12).
126) The national youth companies should develop a nationally recognised 'kitemarking' service for trained instructors (section 7.12).
127) There should be a forum for the National Companies and National Youth Companies, to create a co-ordinated strategy for educational and youth arts in Scotland (section 7.12).
On delivery
128) We recommend that the Scottish Executive commission a study that scopes the operation, costs, partners and viability of a National Box Office (section 7.12).
129) The management of properties in the care of Historic Scotland and NTS is reviewed to assess the viability of joint administration (section 7.12).
130) Strategic financial information on cultural spending in Scotland is collated centrally, with comparable accounting requirements, including financial reporting layouts, presentation styles and standardised cost (section 10.13).
On broadcasting
131) The Commission recommends that Scottish Ministers should consider how a
separate broadcasting channel for Scotland might be financed and set up ( Annex G).
*Addendum contains recommendations, made at the end of Sections or in the body of the report, which were not included in section 12 in the initial print of the report.