Highlights of Cab Sec's evidence to the Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
This morning, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan, gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. She was joined by Richard Walsh and Jamie MacDougall of the Scottish Government's Culture and Historic Environment Division. Here are a few of our key takeaways:
On public service reform, the Cab Sec confirmed that direct government funding for the culture sector (including the promised and forthcoming funding uplifts for culture) will be unaffected by the public service reform agenda. She noted functions like cyber security and storage as examples of where efficiency savings could be sought amongst publicly funded creative organisations. Later in the session, Ms McAllan shared examples of the interconnectedness of culture and well-being in practice (shoutouts for Dundee Contemporary Arts and Caithness Broch Project), and shared her desire that the PSR agenda includes opportunities for social and cultural prescribing. She noted that conversations are actively ongoing to strengthen connections between Scottish Government, the Chief Medical Officer and colleagues in education, including exploring potential opportunities for the National Performing Companies to extend their reach and expertise into new contexts.
David Green MSP quoted Culture Counts' evidence in making the case for the culture sector's impact on wider public outcomes such as health and wellbeing, and our submission on the risks to culture associated with public service reform. He asked how the government will recognise and protect the impact and potential of the culture sector in its forthcoming activity. Ms McAllan responded that "I am utterly convinced of the role that arts and culture has in bringing people together, in well-being, in moving us away from a sometimes-acrimonious society and connecting with one-another. It's part of the human condition and it's important that we support it".
On the National Performing Companies, Jenny Young MSP raised the position of below-inflationary funding settlements for the existing NPC portfolio. She asked how the commitments to increasing the culture budget, and to a new NPC joining the portfolio, would sit alongside commitments to the existing NPCs. Jamie MacDougall suggested that an uplift in funding for NPCs would likely be forthcoming in return for a broadening of their reach, especially in terms of strengthening connections with wellbeing, health and education. A roundtable discussion has been held to explore the scope for a new NPC for traditional music, and a consultation is open now.
On cultural legislation, Pauline Stafford MSP asked for insight into the government's intentions on the timings and contents of a future Culture Bill. Ms McAllan confirmed their commitment to consult on the opportunities for cultural legislation by the end of this Parliament, without taking a predetermined view as to the key objectives that require a primary legislative vehicle. Ms Stafford noted the pressure on local authorities in the delivery of cultural services, and Ms McAllan suggested that PSR may offer an opportunity to champion stronger connections between culture and policy areas.
Evidence also explored the move to Screen Scotland becoming a standalone organisation, the future of the archives and building at the former CCA building, and the current and future governance of Historic Environment Scotland. The increasing role of Creative Scotland as a development organisation - moving beyond its funding remit - was briefly touched upon, too.
The committee also looked ahead to its pre-budget scrutiny process, and its forthcoming work programme. That discussion took place in private.
Background context for this discussion is available in a letter from Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic on Culture to the Committee on her priorities ahead of this evidence session.
The full recording of the Committee session is available here (evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic begins around 10.30am).