Creative Scotland

The Scottish Parliament passed the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill on 25 March 2010. Creative Scotland is expected to be established this summer.

Amendments to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill that relate to Creative Scotland will be discussed in the Finance Committee on 2 February.

Creative Scotland was discussed in the stage 1 debate on the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill on Thursday 7 January. Read the Official Report of part 1 of the debate here and of part 2 here.

S3W-33274 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects that the grants scheme to support artists operated by Creative Scotland will be broadly similar to that operated by the Scottish Arts Council.

Answered by Fiona Hyslop (Thursday, April 29, 2010): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33273 on 29 April 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-33273 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive by what process artistic bodies will apply for grants from Creative Scotland.

Answered by Fiona Hyslop (Thursday, April 29, 2010): This will be a matter for Creative Scotland itself to decide once it comes into existence. We have ensured that the legislation allows Creative Scotland the maximum flexibility in developing its framework for financial and other support.

The Scottish Arts Council is continuing with business as usual until Creative Scotland is established, and the legislation makes it clear that Creative Scotland will honour all funding arrangements entered into by the Scottish Arts Council.

S3W-32999 Jeremy Purvis: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it stipulated in the terms and conditions of the contract for the chief executive of Creative Scotland that no bonuses would be payable.

Answered by John Swinney (Friday, May 7, 2010): Remuneration proposals for the Creative Scotland chief executive post did not include provision for a bonus.

S3W-32959 Robin Harper: To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of current restructuring in preparation for the formation of Creative Scotland, what discussions it has had with the Scottish Arts Council on the continuing concerns of small organisations regarding their funding for the forthcoming year.

Answered by Fiona Hyslop (Monday, April 26, 2010): No specific discussions have taken place. The Scottish Arts Council is continuing with business as usual until Creative Scotland is established, and the legislation makes it clear that Creative Scotland will honour all funding arrangements entered into by the Scottish Arts Council. We have specifically preserved the level of funding for Creative Scotland, despite the difficult financial settlement this year.

The Joint Board of the Scottish Arts council and Scottish Screen announced on  15 December 2009 that £7.98 million would be available for organisations to apply for flexible funding of over £50,000 from 2011 to 2013. The deadline for organisations to apply was 5 March 2010.

The Scottish Arts Council''s first open application funding round will start soon and details of the funds available will be published on 23 April 2010. Creative Scotland will honour all these commitments.

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision has been made in the 2010-11 budget in relation to creative Scotland. (S3O-9002)

The Minister for Culture and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop): Creative Scotland will inherit the existing budgets of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen. The draft budget for 2010-11 sets out total provision of £57.5 million, comprising £35.5 million core grant-in-aid and planned allocations for a number of initiatives that involve specific funding streams rather than core grant-in-aid.

James Kelly: The financial memorandum of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is being debated today, states that the establishment of creative Scotland will result in a headcount reduction of 30 employees, which will cost up to £1.5 million in severance payments. Can the minister indicate how many of those job losses will occur in 2010-11 and whether she thinks that making severance payments of £50,000 to employees who are losing their positions is a good use of public money?

Fiona Hyslop: With regard to its public services reform, the Scottish Government has a position of no compulsory redundancies. The unions have been supportive of that position, which—as Mr Kelly knows—is not necessarily the position that the United Kingdom Government has taken.

When we are dealing with people's jobs and lives, we have to be careful about what we do and when we do it. Certainly, it is important that there is engagement with the unions, and I know that that has taken place with regard to creative Scotland.

It is also important that the timing of any severance payments is structured in a way that suits the staffing arrangements. Those payments may fall over different financial years, which is why we must ensure that there is some range and flexibility in the financial memorandum—as the member noted—with regard to when they apply.

I reassure the member that, since taking up my post, I have been specifically concerned with the need to ensure that the staff of both organisations are treated as well and properly as possible. Only yesterday evening I had a meeting with Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd, at which I put that question. The member should be reassured that I am conscious of such responsibilities, having gone through various issues with other organisations in relation to public reform, and will take them very seriously indeed.

Margaret Smith: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken by the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution to help those people losing their jobs as a result of the establishment of Creative Scotland to find alternative employment. (S3O-8644)

Older written questions:
S3W-22710 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Scottish Screen.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): I had a meeting with the Joint board of Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council on 21 April and an introductory meeting with Scottish Screen staff on 24 March 2009. Scottish Government officials regularly meet with representatives from Scottish Screen on an on-going basis.

S3W-22711 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with Scottish Screen regarding the retention of its brand if Creative Scotland is established.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): The branding of Creative Scotland will be an operational matter for the organisation to decide on. As I said in my statement to Parliament on 2 April 2009, Creative Scotland should, will and must be a highly successful and recognised brand, and all our efforts should go into making it so while not looking backwards but forwards.

S3W-22712 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether any part of the creative industries budget would be transferred to Creative Scotland.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): On 18 June 2008, the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture announced in Parliament that resources of £100,000 provided by Scottish Enterprise to the Cultural Enterprise Office, for complementary specialist advice and information services for creative enterprises, would transfer to Creative Scotland. That commitment remains.

The Creative Industries Framework Agreement, published on 5 February 2009, sets out how Creative Scotland will work together with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local authorities to deliver practical support for the creative industries, making best use of the resources available in each/across all these organisations.

The framework agreement is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/CulturalPolicy/creative-scotland/CreativeIndustries.

S3W-22713 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive what financial costs would be associated with Creative Scotland other than transitional costs.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): As I said in my statement to the Parliament on 2 April, there are two additional smaller costs which, though not directly arising from the transition, are still germane to it. They are a one-off payment of a maximum of £340,000 which may be required on current estimates for pension arrangements, and a potential revenue loss of up to £300,000 per year relating to the Scottish Arts Council's loss of charitable status.

S3W-22714 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the public services reform Bill to be introduced by May 2009.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): The public services reform Bill will be introduced to Parliament in late May. It will include provisions for the establishment of Creative Scotland, the simplification of the public services landscape and organisational changes to health, social work and social care scrutiny bodies.

S3W-22715 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive when it last discussed the public services reform Bill with regard to the establishment of Creative Scotland with Scottish Enterprise.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): I discussed Creative Scotland, its establishment and its role in supporting creative industries with the Creative Industry Framework Agreement Implementation Group on 24 March 2009. The group includes Scottish Enterprise and its Chief Executive, Jack Perry, attended the meeting. That group is tasked with developing the operational delivery of the Creative Industries Framework Agreement.

S3W-22716 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether Creative Scotland will offer loans to artists.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): As I said in my statement to the Parliament on 2 April 2009, the way in which support is provided to artists and creative practitioners in Scotland must be modernised. The detail of this work will be an operational matter for Creative Scotland who will explore additional funding models to improve the way in which the cultural sector is supported as well as maintaining grant funding facilities.

S3W-22717 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider using the word artist in the public services reform Bill.

Answered by Michael Russell (Thursday, May 07, 2009): The wording of the Creative Scotland provisions in the Public Services Reform Bill will be made available to the Parliament on the Bill''s introduction. As previously indicated, the use of the word artist could lead to difficulties of legal interpretation but the intention will be to enshrine creativity and the place of the creative individual at the heart of cultural policy.

Oral Question answered on 23 April 2009:
James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on developing the detailed funding requirements of creative Scotland. (S3O-6615)

The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell): Creative Scotland will inherit the budgets of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, as well as having access to an additional £5 million for an innovation fund in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Detailed decisions on the use of those budgets will be for creative Scotland to take when it is vested. At present, the existing bodies remain in operation and are spending their resources.

James Kelly: In his statement to Parliament on 2 April, the minister indicated that £1.1 million had been set aside for voluntary severance settlements. Will he indicate how many employees have been identified for redundancy and what discussions have taken place with the trade unions on the matter?

Michael Russell: The member is right to stress the importance of working constructively, professionally, properly and inclusively with the trade unions and the staff members on those issues. I met the trade unions on 2 April in connection with my statement, briefed them fully on the issues that we were discussing and made it clear—as I did in my statement and in responding to questions afterwards—that the identification of exact numbers and the debate on that should properly take place between the transition body, the trade unions and the staff members. I will keep a close eye on that to ensure that it is done in the best possible way.

Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Given the minister's claim during this morning's media debate that the issuing of compulsory redundancy notices by the Trinity Mirror group was wholly unacceptable, will he categorically assure members that there will be no compulsory job cuts in the merging of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen? With major cuts in funding ahead, are we to assume that that will be the same for other public bodies?

Michael Russell: There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the creation of creative Scotland—that has been said many times. It is the Government's policy that there will be no compulsory redundancies in relation to the work that we are doing, and I am happy to confirm that again.

Oral Question answered on 23 April 2009:
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs will be of establishing creative Scotland. (S3O-6636)

The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell): As I said in my statement to Parliament on 2 April, my expectation is that the total cost of the transformation will be just over £3.3 million. That figure represents our rigorous current best estimate of the full costs that will arise from transition.

Karen Whitefield: The minister will be aware that there are some concerns in the arts world that the new direction of creative Scotland could focus too heavily on the economic and business benefits of arts in Scotland, which could curtail a more experimental and risk-taking approach to the arts. Does he agree that, although the economic benefits of a thriving arts culture in Scotland are to be welcomed and supported, art in Scotland must be about more than just wealth creation and must always be focused primarily on enriching the lives of those who view, listen to or participate in it?

Michael Russell: I have no difficulty in agreeing whole-heartedly with the member. We must have a modern vision of the arts in Scotland. We must put the artist—the creator—at the centre and we must emphasise access and participation. We must eschew the supposed dichotomy between the economic imperative and the cultural imperative, which is, as I am sure the member agrees, an old-fashioned way of looking at culture. We must be rigorous in our inclusion, bring all the sectors together and value creativity. If people attempt to divide, we must resist that as strongly as possible.

Ministerial statement (2 April 2009):
Full statement and questions- http://tinyurl.com/c6lna3
Question and answer on Scots -
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): I welcome the new proposals for Creative Scotland and am aware of the minister's strong interest in Gaelic. However, I am particularly disappointed that, in the year of homecoming, the Scots language does not have equal status. Will the minister reconsider that matter or say why the Scots language is not being treated the same?

Michael Russell: I wish to treat the Scots language in the same way. Although I have made an announcement about a Gaelic officer, I am keen to discuss with all the relevant parties how we can integrate Scots into Creative Scotland.

I think that Cathy Peattie is aware that I told the cross-party group on culture and media last night that at the British-Irish Council summit on minority languages, I opened my contribution in Gaelic and closed it in Scots. I hope that we all recognise that we have a three-voice nation and that we should celebrate all three voices.

Written Questions:
S3W-21913 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will support cultural enterprises and ensure that they prosper.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): The government is committed to ensuring that Creative Scotland supports the prosperity and innovation of cultural enterprises by maximising the use of its resources, and will work in partnership with other relevant bodies in doing so.

Creative Scotland, as a single, unified body for arts and culture will help realise the potential contribution of creativity in every part of society and the economy.

S3W-21914 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will realise the potential of creativity in the economy.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): The Creative Industries Framework Agreement, published on 5 February 2009, sets out how Creative Scotland will work together with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local authorities to deliver practical support for the creative industries. Those organisations are committed to the Framework and are now preparing implementation arrangements.

The role for Creative Scotland described in the Framework Agreement will be reflected in the relevant provisions in the Public Services Reform Bill and accompanying Policy Memorandum which will be laid before Parliament in due course. Once established, it will be for Creative Scotland to decide in detail how to implement its remit to support and grow the creative industries.

The Framework Agreement is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/CulturalPolicy/creative-scotland/CreativeIndustries.

S3W-21915 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will bring to fruition the value of the arts and culture and support activities that involve the application of creative skills to the development of products and processes.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21914 on 25 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-21916 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will promote, support, stimulate and grow the creative industries.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21914 on 25 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-21917 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will grow employment and investment in the creative industries.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21914 on 25 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-21918 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether Creative Scotland will be set targets to grow employment and investment in the creative industries.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21914 on 25 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-21919 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will fulfil each of the functions of the culture fund.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): The key priorities of Creative Scotland will be supporting artists and creative practitioners, increasing access and participation and promoting appreciation and enjoyment of the arts and culture in all their manifestations.

S3W-21920 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will foster enterprise within the cultural sector.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21914 on 25 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-21921 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends that the Bill that establishes Creative Scotland will include a power for ministers to give Creative Scotland directions on funding.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): It is right and proper that ministers should have the power to give direction to Creative Scotland over its general functions, as with all public bodies. However, we will enshrine in legislation the arms length principle which is rightly valued by the arts community because it guarantees autonomy in respect of Creative Scotland''s artistic and cultural judgement.

S3W-21922 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive, if Creative Scotland does not have a general responsibility to pursue the economic benefits of the creative sector, what individual or organisation will.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21914 on 25 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-21923 Pauline McNeill: To ask the Scottish Executive how Creative Scotland will promote diversity in arts and culture and ensure that ethnic minority communities are represented on it and their cultural interests are safeguarded and secured by it.

Answered by Michael Russell (Wednesday, March 25, 2009): Creative Scotland will have as one of its key priorities ensuring access to and participation in the arts and culture so that as many people as possible can enjoy, contribute to and benefit from them. Details of its remit will be for consideration by the Parliament following introduction of the Public Services Reform Bill later this year.

Appointments to the board of Creative Scotland will be governed by the procedures to ensure openness and transparency laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland.

12 March 2009
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when creative Scotland will be operational. (S3O-6228)

The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell): Creative Scotland will become operational in the first half of next year. As I said on 18 February, in a contribution that I think was well reported, creative Scotland is needed and it will come to fruition.

Karen Whitefield: I am grateful to the minister for his comments and I welcome his assurance that creative Scotland will be established. Is the minister aware of the concerns and anxieties of a number of cultural organisations about their short and medium-term funding in the absence of creative Scotland? What assurances can he offer them that that problem will be resolved?

Michael Russell: I am always aware that organisations that are involved in the arts have constant questions about their future and operation. It is important that we have a stable structure that supports the arts and culture in Scotland. There is at present a structure that consists of creative Scotland and the Scottish Arts Council. The new structure, which we anticipate will be in existence in the first half of next year, will succeed that. There is no interregnum; there is a structure and there will be a structure. Organisational support and funding are there and are secure. They will become better when creative Scotland is in place. A great deal of work needs to be done to ensure that that happens.

The whole Parliament has the opportunity to participate in that. I invited the Opposition culture spokespeople to the event at the Traverse on 18 February. I am happy to work with members throughout the Parliament and with the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, which the member convenes and which has oversight of the matter, to ensure that we deliver creative Scotland in the best way possible. We can then put an end to what I have called the decade of debate about the structures of the arts in Scotland and ensure that we are doing the real job of supporting the arts by supporting creativity, access and participation.

First Minister Grilled on Creative Scotland
At First Minister's Question Time last week, First Minister Alex Salmond faced questions from Paline McNeill MSP and Ted Brocklebank MSP about the Scottish Government's plans for Creative Scotland.

Read the exchange at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0122-02.htm#Col14315

Lost Year for Scottish Arts
The Sunday Herald reports that there are fears of a "lost year" for Scottish arts after the Creative Scotland Bill was voted down at the Scottish Parliament this past Wednesday.
http://tinyurl.com/6hjudn

Stage 1 debate on the Creative Scotland Bill: http://tinyurl.com/55qshr

Points of Order about the bill's financial resolution:
http://tinyurl.com/6pjtfe
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Culture Bill Dead
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani has declared the Culture Bill "effectively dead", reports the Sunday Herald: http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2014881.0.0.php
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The draft Culture (Scotland) Bill went out to consultation on Thursday 14 December. The draft bill comes after the Cultural Commission reported more than a year ago. It includes the following main proposals:
- cultural entitlements that local authorities will provide after getting the views of local people on activities they want to access
- a new cultural development body to be called Creative Scotland
- direct government funding of the main national performing companies
- a new criminal offence in Scotland on dealing in tainted cultural objects.
Comments must be with the Executive by 30 March 2007.
As well as the bill, the Executive has published draft guidance on cultural entitlements.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson, said:
"The First Minister's St Andrews Day speech in 2003 underlined the Executive's ambitions for Scotland's cultural life emphasising access and excellence. The Culture Bill will provide a legal framework that will help nurture cultural talent and promote excellence in our national cultural life. It will help secure the widest possible participation in cultural life, bringing real benefits to communities and individuals, and unleashing their creative potential."
Consultation on the draft Culture (Scotland) Bill: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/14095224/0
Draft guidance on cultural entitlements: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/13092422/0
Scottish Executive news release on the draft Culture (Scotland) Bill: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/12/14094529
More on the draft bill and guidance: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCulture/CulturalPolicy/CultureBill
More on the Scottish Executive's cultural policy: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCulture/CulturalPolicy/intro
Cultural Commission home page: http://www.culturalcommission.org.uk/