Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 26 Nov 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Official Report 194KB pdf

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Scotland's Museums

Item 2 is consideration of the amended report, by Jackie Baillie and Michael Russell, on Scotland's museums. I ask members to agree to the paper and to agree that it should be forwarded to the Scottish Executive as part of its consultation on the future of museums. Would you like to add anything, Jackie?

There is just one tiny thing that we should bring to members' attention. Mike Russell and I have both received correspondence from Highland Council indicating that we may inadvertently have suggested that Tain and District Museum is due for closure. I have to say that, based on the evidence that was submitted, that was indeed the case, and Highland Council concedes that. However, we should place on record that we are neither implicitly nor explicitly criticising Highland Council and that we recognise all its good work. However, Tain and District Museum will lose its curator and close in due course; it is only a matter of time. Although we do not propose to amend the report, we should still place on record our reassurances to Highland Council.

I have seen only Jackie Baillie's copy of Highland Council's correspondence—I have not seen the letter in my office. However, Highland Council appears to be arguing that it has adjusted the funding for Highland museums, with the result that there have been some losers. One of those losers is Tain and District Museum, which will lose its curator. However, although the council says that that is not the same as closing the museum, such a step will lead to closure unless new money is invested. As a result, there is no need to change the report. If Highland Council feels hard done by, we are sorry.

We need to release the paper if we are to submit it as part of the Executive's consultation. Can we use the appropriate channels to do that on behalf of the committee?

Absolutely. I will ensure that that is done.