MLA explores online applications for export licenses in response to consultation on AELU move.
Following consultation on plans to relocate the Acquisitions, Exports, and Loans Unit (AELU) from London to its headquarters in Birmingham, the MLA is working up plans to enable customers to apply for an export licence online.
In line with government requirements, the MLA Board decided in May this year, that its AELU services are to be integrated with the MLA's other delivery teams that are already located in its new Birmingham headquarters.
Hedley Swain, Director of Programmes said: "Since the Board decided that an efficient and cost-effective AELU service would best be delivered from Birmingham, the MLA has been consulting key stakeholders, including the art trade, to ensure that the service continues to meet the high standards to which our users have become accustomed.
"An online system would be a cost effective new benefit for customers, but we need time to explore this in detail, and to hear the views of the people who would be using it. We will ensure that our resulting plans maintain the very high standard of service currently provided."
The MLA is now exploring the detailed technical and legal feasibility of licence applications being made online. To allow sufficient time for this work and for consultation with users, MLA will maintain a licensing team in London for the time being. In the first instance, the MLA Board has agreed a three month extension on the original plan, to June 2010.
All of the other functions of AELU will be relocated in Birmingham from 1 April 2010 as planned.
In the event that an on-line system proves secure and effective, a paper based applications system would remain available for users who prefer it. Whatever the system, an authorised paper licence would be delivered to the applicant.
Such a solution would help ensure that a Birmingham-based licensing team delivers a service to the same time scales currently available in London, while also providing an easier application option not currently available.
MLA CEO, Roy Clare, comments: "We are keen to work with our principal stakeholders, including London's economically-important art market. We have listened to the feedback that we have received this year. The measures now in hand are set to provide a cost-effective service that improves on the excellent service that has been achieved by the Export Licensing Unit to date."
He added: "During the past 18 months the MLA has undergone substantial transformation. We have defined a new vision for supporting the improvement of museums, libraries and archives; we have shifted our base to Birmingham; and we have successfully delivered an integrated regional/national staff structure across England.
"Through these and other changes we are seeing evidence of real benefit for organisations in our sector, where there is a re-invigorated drive for excellence for the public. We have also begun to save more than £4 million per year in operating costs, meeting government targets for efficiency and savings."