A statement from the joint board of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen following the failure of the Creative Scotland Bill to progress.
The Joint Board met on 26 June 2008 - the first time since the Creative Scotland Bill fell at the Scottish Parliament 18 June 2008.
While the failure of the Bill to progress was disappointing for the Joint Board, staff of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, as well as the sectors they support, the delay provides an opportunity for even greater engagement with the process and the chance to really think about how we can work together to create an organisation of which we can all be proud.
At its meeting, the Joint Board made a clear and unified commitment to moving forward positively with the work required to create a new organisation that has clarity of purpose, relevant expertise and the resources required to fulfil its remit. The Joint Board has stated that it views communication as a major priority for the next stage in the development of Creative Scotland.
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani made a clear commitment to bring the Bill back to Parliament as soon as possible after the recess and Government is working to make this happen. In addition, she highlighted that since Parliament unanimously supported the principle of Creative Scotland, Government is determined to bring the new organisation into being as soon as possible.
In order to enable this the Minister is clear that she expects preparation of the Creative Scotland Plan to continue swiftly, this work is progressing over the summer to support the re-introduction of a Bill. There are areas which can be clarified further such as the role of Creative Scotland in the creative industries and the organisation’s financial resourcing. These matters will be clarified before the Bill is reintroduced.