WIREDGOV

Responding to the government's announcement that the MLA is to be wound up by April 2012, Chair Sir Andrew Motion and Chief Executive Roy Clare pledge a smooth and orderly transition to deliver the best possible future for museums, libraries and archives across England and for the people and communities who expect to use them.

In a joint statement, Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare say: "Stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands. The team in the MLA have worked tirelessly and with commendable commitment to develop the capacity of the organisation since 2007. Now, faced with an unforeseen degree of economic pressure, government has chosen to balance the books and to prioritise the rationalisation of its existing cultural agencies as a contribution.

"As a result we will work methodically and calmly to continue to deliver a vibrant and effective expert service for the public who rightly expect excellent, sustainable museums, libraries and record offices in their local neighbourhoods. Our accent is on strong strategic leadership; access to expert advice which can help people to weather the effects of recession; strong investment programmes; joining up across the network; good links into local government, and provision of resources that demonstrate good practice. We are committed to arguing for these to be reflected clearly in the new arrangements.

”MLA is currently engaged with local authorities and independent museums, libraries and archives all over the country. We are helping them to weather the storm of recession and funding cuts and to emerge stronger and more sustainable. Maintaining the tempo of this work will continue to be a major priority for us.

Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, comments: "Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare have shown great leadership of the MLA and have made great strides in the last two years to streamline the organisation, significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness. However, there is now an opportunity to integrate Renaissance and the other important functions of the MLA into the wider cultural framework.”

The MLA believes that cultural and artistic activities are at the heart of Britain's recovery. Museums, libraries, archives and other places of art and creativity are nourishment for the spirit and encouragement for everyone in times of adversity; these are vital components for tourism, the economy, quality of life, cultural creativity and personal well-being. In the current climate especially, museums, libraries and other cultural services are at significant risk.

The MLA has called for more creative and systematic planning to ensure the public get the most out of the sector. The prospectus that we launched this year, ‘Sharper Investment for Changing Times', recognises that around three quarters of the £2bn-plus spent on cultural services in England is in the control of local, not central, government.

Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare add:

"Over the year or so ahead our focus is on continuing to boost the impact and potential of museums, libraries and archives in locations across the country. An economy only slowly emerging from recession and pressures on public spending provide the spur to make even greater efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for people and communities. 

"Our various programmes and the expertise of our staff, including the Field Teams across the country, will continue unabated. Many longer term decisions will need to be taken and the outcome in October of the government's Spending Review will have a pivotal bearing on the details.

"It is our firm, joint intention to continue to provide strong and visible national leadership and a consistent, purposeful voice. We are confident that the various important capabilities of the MLA will be found new homes and we are determined to ensure that there continues to be sources of robust advocacy for museums, libraries and archives and for the people and places that depend upon them; with provision of experts, know-how, advice, specialist resources, detailed research and evidence and informed guidance.  

"We are already working closely with local government and with professional colleagues in the Local Government Association, Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of leading museums and other key organisations. These relationships are strong and will become stronger. Place-based investment, with much more joined-up and better strategic planning, can and must deliver more for less; closer attention to demand and better systems for delivery must result from all new alignments.

"Specific partnership work is already in hand on a Ministerial initiative to develop and improve library services; this will continue, and will be delivered by MLA and LGA this autumn, unaffected by the announcement. We have also put specific proposals to Ministers about the future of Renaissance in the Regionsand its relationship to the strategy for archives; further work is in hand that will lead to consultation and a statement by Ministers later this year, in time for new elements to be adopted during 2011 and the ensuing years, subject to funding.

"As an example of our specialist resources, we have just agreed to second an MLA expert, Natasha Innocent, to RaceOnline 2012 for 6 months from September. Natasha will work with Martha Lane Fox and her team to help deliver their Manifesto for a Networked Nation; and specifically to ensure that public library services are fully integrated in moves to secure positive digital outcomes for people in Britain.

"We are also proud of our range of cultural services, including Acceptance in Lieu, National Security Advisor, Export Licensing, Reviewing Committee, Accreditation, Designation and Government Indemnity. These will be maintained throughout the transition as will our engagement with the Cultural Festival, a vital component of London's 2012 Olympics, especially in terms of our support and leadership for Stories of the World and Our Sporting Life.

"The members of the MLA Board join us in expressing our very sincere gratitude to the staff of the MLA for all their work to date; and together we will uppermost in mind their interests and those of our many professional stakeholders across the country as we work to secure the future for the MLA's many valuable capabilities and ensure their sustained effectiveness on behalf of the public.

Ends

Notes for Editors

Ministerial Announcement
In line with commitments set out in the Coalition Document the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, has undertaken a review of public bodies within his sector. On 26 July 2010 he announced that the MLA would be wound up and its functions transferred to other organisations by 2012. Further work will be undertaken by DCMS and the MLA over the coming months to ensure that these valuable capabilities are not lost.

Transformation
Reflecting the times, MLA has completed its national transformation with the creation of a regional team for London and the closure of its last regional agency. These changes have enabled the MLA to increase effectiveness, using newly-focused resources and expertise to support every locality throughout England, whilst continuing to reduce operating costs. Our overheads costs now stand at an impressive 4.1% of turnover. The MLA now has capabilities that can be effective catalysts for change, working closely with a wide range of partners to help make the cultural sector's ambitions a reality. For further information visit http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/MLA_complete_transform

Notes on programmes:

Libraries Initiative
The library initiative is an expert support programme led by the Museums Libraries and Archive Council (MLA) and the LGA Group (Local Government Association Group) working together to support councils as they adapt to the current economic challenge, helping them to deliver the key services valued by communities while driving down costs. The programme will initially undertake intensive, proactive work with around 10 library authorities. Options include shared services, merging functions, staffing across authorities, support from volunteers or the use of other community buildings. An announcement of projects will be made in August. For further information visit http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/Culture_minister_launches_support_programme_for_libraries

Renaissance in the Regions
Renaissance is the MLA's ground-breaking programme to transform England's regional museums. Central government funding is enabling regional museums across the country to raise their standards and deliver real results in local communities. For more information visit http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/programmes/renaissance

Stories of the World and Our Sporting Life
London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World presents exciting new museum exhibitions across the UK, created by young people. The project is led by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). Our Sporting Life will reveal hidden sporting histories, forgotten heroes, objects and stories in communities across the UK. Local people and sports organisations are being asked to put forward objects and memorabilia that can help tell the story of their sporting life and work with museums to create their Our Sporting Life exhibition. Highlights from each exhibition will become part of the largest ever exhibition of British sporting life and heritage and will be held in London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For further information http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/programmes/setting_pace

Acceptance in Lieu
The Acceptance in Lieu scheme, administered by MLA on behalf of the Government, enables taxpayers to transfer important works of art and other important heritage objects into public ownership while paying Inheritance Tax, or one of its earlier forms. The taxpayer is given the full open market value of the item, which then becomes the property of a public museum, archive or library. The Acceptance in Lieu Scheme is celebrating its centenary in 2010 having been established by the Finance Act 1910. Details of all the material accepted in 2008/09 can be found at http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/cultural/tax/acceptance_in_lieu

Race Online 2012

Museums Libraries and Archives (MLA) has become an advocate of Race Online and committed to getting half a million more people online. The Race Online 'Networked Nation' manifesto sets out plans to inspire and encourage all UK citizens to enjoy the benefits of the web. The manifesto says that local and central government should ensure that by the end of 2010, there are local digital champions in all public libraries; all local authorities; all 750 jobcentre plus office. For further information visit http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press_releases/2010/Libraries_support_RaceOnline