Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
Letter from Convener to BBC
Letter from Convener to Steve Carson, Director of BBC Scotland, on legacy issues raised by the previous committee, 23 June 2021
Dear Mr Carson,
The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee considered the legacy paper of the previous Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee at our first meeting this morning. The Committee noted the section in the legacy paper on the screen sector and this is attached.
The Committee also noted recent media reports on the possible transfer of Studio A and Studio B at the BBC Scotland Pacific Quay site to the control of BBC Studioworks, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC.
The Committee is concerned about the possible transfer of the two studios at BBC Scotland Pacific Quay to the control of BBC Studioworks within the context of the issues raised in the legacy paper on the screen sector in Scotland. In particular, the role of the BBC in occupying “a central role in supporting the Scottish screen industry.” Any loss of jobs, training and skills in the sector would also be of concern to the Committee.
The Committee asks for a response, and for the opportunity to take evidence on this issue after our summer recess, prior to any decision being taken in relation to this matter. I am also copying this letter to the BBC Director General.
Yours Sincerely,
Clare Adamson
Convener
Legacy paper extract
Screen Sector
- The Committee undertook an inquiry examining the state of Scotland’s screen sector. The Inquiry was focussed on how to best implement the recommendations of Screen Sector Leadership Group’s (SSLG) report on strengthening and developing the Scottish screen sector. The SSLG was established following recommendations made by the Session 4 Economy, Energy and Tourism (EET) Committee. The EET Committee considered that the separate and distinct remits of Scottish Enterprise and Creative Scotland were acting as a barrier to effective working by the public sector to support the film industry.
- Over the course of the inquiry, the Committee took a range of evidence that considered that the proposal for the new Screen Unit, within Creative Scotland, may not mitigate concerns surrounding the public sector fragmentation, leadership and accountability. The Committee published an interim report in May 2018 which made the case for a standalone agency rather than an inter-agency model. This recommendation was not accepted by the Scottish Government on the grounds that an inter-agency model was already in the process of being established and citing the cost implications of a stand-alone approach.
- Subsequently, Screen Scotland was established within Creative Scotland. Despite having a skilled crew base, Scotland’s screen industry had long lacked a dedicated, purpose-built screen studio. The Committee had recommended as a matter of urgency that additional studio capacity be introduced. The Committee welcomes the progress that has been made by Screen Scotland in developing dedicated studio capacity in Leith and Glasgow.
- Public Sector Broadcasters, and in particular the BBC, occupy a central role in supporting the Scottish screen industry. The Committee expressed concerns about the volume of commissions awarded in Scotland and the practice of ‘lift and shift’ whereby a production is moved from one location to another to fulfil ‘out of London production quotas’, although this practice was within the rules set by OFCOM. In our most recent evidence sessions, producers expressed mixed views about the volume of network commissioning from Scottish based companies. The Committee understands that new guidance from OFCOM on this issue came into force in January and a successor committee may wish to consider this in the next parliamentary session. The Committee welcomed, during the current parliamentary session, the introduction of the new BBC Scotland channel and the agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding between the BBC and Screen Scotland. The Committee took evidence recently from a panel of experienced Scottish producers regarding the role of public sector broadcasters in commissioning Scottish content. While generally supportive of the progress made by Screen Scotland and the BBC Scotland Channel, producers remained concerned about the role of commissioners and the centralisation of decision making to London. In their evidence, producers called for greater autonomy for Scottish commissioners to ‘greenlight’ projects in Scotland. The Committee recommends that a successor Committee scrutinise public sector broadcasters, and the broadcasting landscape generally, regarding commissioning of Scottish content and the role of commissioners based in Scotland.
- The global demand for content, which has been further accentuated by the pandemic, continues to drive the screen production sector. The Committee, whilst recognising that progress has been made, continues to emphasise the need for more major productions being made in Scotland.
- A key recommendation from the Committee’s inquiry was the importance of developing domestic talent. Accordingly, the Committee emphasised the need for a strategic approach to training and development within the sector. The Committee understands that Screen Scotland will publish its Skills Strategy in April 2021.Screen Scotland has stated that the strategy will be open-ended and provide for the delivery of flexible tactical interventions devised and delivered with industry through the establishment of a series of outcome-focused working groups.
- The Committee recommends that a successor Committee continue to monitor the progress of Screen Scotland in the next session of Parliament. The Committee recommends that a successor Committee scrutinise the relationship between all the public agencies involved in the Memorandum of understanding underpinning Screen Scotland’s operation.
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