20.03.2008
Views on the general principles of the Creative Scotland Bill are being sought in a call for written evidence issued today by the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee.
The bill seeks to establish a new national cultural development body called Creative Scotland. The new body will inherit the resources and general purposes of two current public bodies, the Scottish Arts Council, and Scottish Screen, both of which will cease to operate.
The Scottish Government has stated that the objective for Creative Scotland will be to:
“inspire and support a culturally ambitious Scotland , where our creative practitioners excel and their enterprises prosper, and one which attracts and retains increasing numbers of gifted people.”
The bill also states that Creative Scotland will be tasked with encouraging more people, and a greater diversity of people, to access and participate in the arts and culture.
The Committee’s Convener, Karen Whitefield MSP, said:
“Scotland has a diverse and flourishing cultural life and our artists and practitioners deserve the best supports to help them achieve artistic excellence. The committee will do a thorough job of scrutinising this bill to ensure that through the creation of the new cultural body, Creative Scotland, we enhance our nation’s creativity.”
The committee would like to hear from individuals and organisations with an interest in the arts and culture in Scotland . In addition to commenting on the general principles of the bill, it would be helpful to the committee if interested parties could also consider the following questions:
- How helpful do you find the policy memorandum and financial memorandum accompanying the bill?
- Do you have any comments on the consultation the Scottish Government carried out prior to the introduction of the bill?
Background
The bill was introduced in the Parliament on 12 March 2008 and referred to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee by the Parliamentary Bureau on 18 March 2008 .
At Stage 1 a subject committee examines the general principles of a bill and reports to the Parliament. As part of this process, a committee usually takes written and oral evidence from interested parties.
Written evidence should be submitted no later than 1700 on Friday 18 April 2008 . There will be no extension to this deadline except by application in writing to the convener of the committee.
Written evidence should be reasonably brief and typewritten (as a guide, normally no more than 4 sides of A4).
It would be most helpful if responses could be submitted by email to:
creativescotlandbill@scottish.parliament.uk with the name of your organisation or, if appropriate, your name as the subject line.
Alternatively, responses can be submitted by letter to Paul Howell, Committee Assistant, Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, Room T3.40, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP.
Before submitting written evidence, please make yourself aware of the policy on the handling of written evidence by parliamentary committees.