Birmingham-based Museums, Libraries & Archives Council to be axed
Jul 26 2010 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Post
Yet another Birmingham-based quango is to be axed as part of the Government’s cull of bureaucracy.
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, which employs 123 people including 48 in the city, is to be closed.
Its national headquarters is in Bennetts Hill, Birmingham.
The announcement, by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, is the latest in a series of closures.
Ministers have confirmed that Aston-based Advantage West Midlands, a regional agency designed to support the economy, is to close with the loss of 326 jobs by March 31, 2012.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has also announced that the Government Office for the West Midlands, in Colmore Row, will be closed with the loss of 180 jobs.
Business Link West Midlands, which is based in Quinton and provides advice for employers, has asked its 230 staff to consider taking voluntary redundancy after its funding was cut by by £11.3 million.
In the long term, Ministers have suggested it could be replaced entirely by a national service operating from London.
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) says it “promotes best practice in museums, libraries and archives, to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all”.
Chairman Sir Andrew Motion and Chief Executive Roy Clare said in a joint statement: “MLA is currently engaged with local authorities and independent museums, libraries and archives all over the country. We are helping them to weather the storm of recession and funding cuts and to emerge stronger and more sustainable.”
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt also announced he was abolishing the UK Film Council and merging sports quangos UK Sport and Sport England.
He said: “The Government is committed to increasing the transparency and accountability of its public bodies, while at the same time reducing their number and cost.
“Many of these bodies were set up a considerable length of time ago, and times and demands have changed. In the light of the current financial situation, and as part of our drive to increase openness and efficiency across Whitehall, it is the right time to look again at the role, size and scope of these organisations.
“The changes I have proposed today would help us deliver fantastic culture, media and sport, while ensuring value for money for the public and transparency about where taxpayers’ money is spent.”
