| Description | Concordat |
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| ISBN | (Web Only) |
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| Official Print Publication Date | |
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| Website Publication Date | November 25, 1999 |
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Specific Functions where responsibility is devolved
Architecture
7. DCMS will be responsible for sponsoring the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, which will act in England as a Champion for Architecture. This body and Scottish architectural bodies will be encouraged to co-operate with each other in formulating policies and exchanging information.
The Arts
8. DCMS and the Office of the Scottish Executive will encourage the Arts Councils of England and Scotland to co-operate on questions relating to the joint funding of arts bodies engaged in cross-border activities, and joint arts initiatives.
Libraries and Archives
9. DCMS will be responsible for sponsoring the British Library, the Library and Information Commission (LIC), and Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts. DCMS and the Office of the Scottish Executive will encourage their respective bodies to seek to ensure that:
- the British Library, as the national library of the United Kingdom, continues to co-operate with the National Library of Scotland, and library authorities and professional organisations in Scotland;
- the Library and Information Commission (and its successor MLAC - see paragraph 14 below) co-operates with appropriate bodies in Scotland on research, international issues, and IT networking of the public libraries;
- the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts continues to collaborate with the National Archives of Scotland.
Cultural Heritage
10. Museums & Galleries Commission (MGC): The Museums & Galleries Commission, which has a UK remit under its Royal Charter, will - subject to any future decision of the Scottish Parliament - continue to operate on this basis in co-operation with the appropriate national authorities. The Area Museums Councils in England and Scotland will be encouraged by their national sponsoring bodies to co-operate in UK-wide and cross-border activities and initiatives.
11. Underwater archaeology : DCMS will act as secretariat to the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites (ACHWS), appoint ACHWS members, and manage and fund the contract with the Archaeological Diving Unit (ADU). Both the ACHWS and the ADU will provide advice to the Scottish administration.
12. World Heritage Sites : In accordance with the agreed roles of UK and Scottish Ministers in respect of international responsibilities, set out in the International concordat, the Secretary of State will be responsible for the UK Government's overall policy on World Heritage Sites and exercise a co-ordinating role in its relationship with UNESCO on this issue. Within this overall policy Scottish Ministers will, however, continue to be responsible for identifying and nominating individual Sites within Scotland, and for dealing with issues which may arise about the proper management of those sites. DCMS will chair regular meetings to discuss World Heritage issues of mutual concern.
13. National Heritage Memorial Fund : Aside from its role as a Lottery distributor, the NHMF will continue to serve as a fund of last resort for the support of cultural and natural heritage projects throughout the United Kingdom, in respect of which it receives grant-in-aid from DCMS.
14. A new body called the Museums, Libraries and Archives Commission (MLAC) which is being established to take over the functions of the LIC and MGC, will link with Scotland in the same way as indicated for the LIC and MGC in this concordat.
Sport
15. The Scottish Minister with responsibility for sport will be a member of the UK "Sports Cabinet". The "Sports Cabinet" will continue to be chaired by the Secretary of State and will continue to operate on the basis agreed at its first meeting on 26 November 1998. DCMS will continue to provide the Secretariat for the Cabinet and take the lead in liaison at official level with Scotland. Some meetings of the Sports Cabinet will be held outside London.
16. DCMS will ensure that the United Kingdom Sports Council provides to the Scottish Minister with responsibility for sport, for his information, copies of papers prepared for meetings of the UKSC.
17. DCMS will chair joint meetings with officials from the devolved administrations at least twice a year.
Tourism
18. DCMS will be responsible for sponsoring the British Tourist Authority (BTA), including target-setting and other aspects of the funding agreements between DCMS and the BTA. DCMS will continue to encourage the BTA to work closely with the Scottish Tourist Board. Such co-operation will include the production of joint overseas marketing plans. Joint meetings between officials from DCMS and the Office of the Scottish Executive will be held on a regular basis.
Film
19. DCMS officials will liaise closely with the Office of the Scottish Executive on film policy matters. A new body to be called the Film Council will be established to develop and implement DCMS film strategy and to disburse grant-in-aid for film and the Lottery film funding currently under the Arts Council of England. The new body will be required to establish close working relationships with equivalent bodies in Scotland, in particular in respect of activities that have UK-wide coverage.