Embargo: Immediate Release

Contact: John Harrison, Head of Media Relations 0207 273 1402 john.harrison@mla.gov.uk

MLA Board takes radical step to sharpen delivery

Plans have been agreed to streamline the MLA's national and regional operations in a major reorganisation intended to lower the Partnership's cost structure and channel more funding to front-line cultural activities. The MLA Board decided (Tuesday 19 Feb) to scale back funding to the nine separate regional MLAs and work with them to plan for their eventual replacement by a unified structure. 

By April 2009 smaller regional MLA teams will be better placed to work with other cultural services and a joined-up government presence in the region. The changes pave the way for the outcome of an ongoing regional review chaired by Culture Minister Margaret Hodge.

The move follows quickly in the wake of decisions to cut back the central MLA Council and move key operations out of London.

The combined package heralds a new era for the MLA, which is being reconfigured as a single national entity based principally in Birmingham. The MLA intends to run itself more economically to maximise front line investment, and will be represented by expert teams in each English region.

Regional advisory groups drawn from local government, businesses, communities and the sector will ensure its work is targeted at improvement and delivery for consumers.

The unified MLA aims to extend its capacity to benefit the future development of the sector. It will help the sector to cater for audiences and users of all ages and backgrounds. Measures will include targeted research and innovation programmes; investigation of new ways of working; wider collaboration, including with partners in education and learning, at home and internationally; and arrangements to promote self-generated income, including match-funding and fund-raising.

As a result of today's decisions and the ongoing transformation, services and funding provided by the MLA will be steadily enhanced. The Renaissance programme is increasing funding in line with inflation; money (£4m over three years) is being allocated to help museums, libraries and archives to deliver the government's Cultural Offer; best practice in public libraries and archives will be identified and shared and local innovation will be supported.

MLA Chairman Mark Wood said: "The MLA has a key role to play in leading the transformation of our museum, library and archive services and managing its flagship investment programme in regional museums, Renaissance.

"We aim to fulfil that role with greater effectiveness despite reduced government funding. The Board has taken the decision that only radical reorganisation will sustain a stronger, more focused MLA working nationally and regionally, and making better use of public money. We believe that the costs of nine independent agencies, concentrating only on museums, libraries and archives, are unsustainable.

"The Minister for Culture is also conducting a review of government arrangements for delivering culture at a regional level, and this gives us an opportunity to position MLA to play a key part in joining-up provision and cutting back duplication.

"We are confident that the end result will be a better way of ensuring effective local delivery of national policy. Local cultural services will be able to work with a more coherent MLA regional presence; ultimately, the public will see the benefits in their museums, libraries and archives and in wider cultural provision."

MLA’s Chief Executive Roy Clare said: "This is a tremendously challenging programme of change. We will continue to work closely with the nine independently-constituted agencies and with local government and regional development agencies to plan for a unified MLA. We aim to introduce substantial improvements, while making savings quickly within the looming financial year. We will retain flexibility to ensure that the MLA's emerging shape and capacities are compatible with the results of the ongoing DCMS review of the regions.

"Our vision is for a renewed and stronger MLA. Staff and Board members, regionally and nationally, have shown fantastic resilience and commitment and a willingness to embrace reform. Their enduring investment will see that the expertise running throughout the MLA will be dedicated to ensuring a stronger relationship with local government and regional development; better services for the public; and enabling MLA to represent and challenge our sector more effectively.

"The plans take full account of the need to ensure the transformation is as smooth as possible, not least for the staff involved.

 "The new MLA is shaping up to deliver a full and balanced contribution to the country’s cultural life. MLA is intent on putting culture at the heart of new communities, including through Living Places; helping schools ensure every child has a right to experience a variety of high-quality culture; leading our sector for the Cultural Olympiad; advancing Museums’ and Libraries’ Strategies for improvement; finding new ways to share information in a digital age; and ensuring that services exceed public expectations."

The best way of maintaining and enhancing the various MLA functions will evolve in consultation with local government, community groups and sector specialists. This process will consider in each case how functions are best provided, working in collaboration with other organisations and partners regionally and nationally. Particular arrangements may apply in London for which there will be specific discussions with the Mayor's office.

The DCMS regional review, chaired by Culture Minister Margaret Hodge, is looking at how to strengthen and streamline arrangements between government offices and agencies with responsibility for culture, and ensure the most effective collaboration between them. The MLA, with other non-departmental government bodies, is fully engaged in the review and strongly supports the twin objectives for greater operational effectiveness and cost-efficiency.