SEVENTH MEETING OF THE MUSEUMS SUMMIT THINK TANK
21 SEPTEMBER 2010
VICTORIA QUAY, EDINBURGH
Attendees
Members of the Think Tank:
Dr Jim Arnold, New Lanark World Heritage Site; Frank Little, Museums Manager, Culture & Sport Edinburgh; John Leighton, Director General National Galleries of Scotland; Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director National Museums of Scotland; Rachel Skene, Head of Tourism Caithness & North Sutherland; Ewen Smith, Director (retired) of the Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery; Jim Tildesley, Director Scottish Maritime Museum.
Apologies:
Professor Stewart Brymer, Honorary President of Dundee Heritage Trust; Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member, Development & Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council; Dr Sharon Webb, Director and Curator Kilmartin House Trust.
Scottish Government:
David Seers (Chair), Carole Robinson, Gail Clapton
1. Welcome/introductions
David welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Ewen Smith made members aware that he has been invited to join the MGS Recognition Committee.
2. Recap of the action points from the sixth meeting
All of the action points from the sixth meeting had been completed.
Minor changes to the minutes from the sixth meeting were agreed.
3. Consideration of re-drafted Think Tank report
The Think Tank felt that the new version was better and more optimistic but could be shorter and tighter.
- There was a general discussion about inclusion of financial information and it was proposed that a range of figures to illustrate the variety and size of the sector should be included. Due to the complex and varied funding strands direct comparisons between individuals within the sector were not possible. The information could be used as a baseline by the National Development Body to identify trends.
- Reference to the "Funding and Strategy" chapter should appear earlier in the report.
- The Scottish Government would check all references to the National Strategy, NDB and Forum to ensure there was a consistency of definition.
- Additional minor drafting changes were raised, discussed and agreed.
- The proposed functions of the NDB should be contrasted to those currently undertaken by MGS.
- It was agreed to clarify the roles of both the National Development Body and the Forum, the relationship between them and their relationship with the Scottish Government.
- It was recommended that Rachel Skene's suggestion for a revised Recognition Scheme should be included in the report.
4. Timescale for drafting changes and agreement from the Think Tank
The Think Tank was asked to supply comments and drafting changes by 8 October.
A revised version would be issued after 15 October for consideration.
5. AOB
All further comments on the report will be obtained via correspondence and no further meetings of the Think Tank were planned.
Scottish Government
September 2010