Arts and culture merger met with sceptisism

Plans to move forward with the potential merging of Culture Perth in Kinross and Horsecross Arts was debated at committee meeting this week drawing concern from councillors.

Members of the council at the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee were presented with six different options for the administration of over £4 million of culture and heritage activities with a final recommendation to be made in November.

The main scepticism came from Councillors Xander McDade and Dave Doogan who voiced concerns that the merging of the two trusts, with regards to running efficient fundraising events, would be unwise.

Doogan said he was not persuaded that a single cultural body would be beneficial for Perth and Kinross.

Fiona Robertson, head of culture and community services, said there is “no strong evidence”to suggest a single trust would be a disadvantage.

Around 170 staff members work between the two enterprises and Robertson also confirmed that those employees of both CPKC and Horsecross will have the chance to express their views internally at the prospect of a unified cultural administration for Perth and Kinross.

The council also faces continuing budget pressures across all services including culture.

Horsecross and Culture Perth and Kinross are required to deliver £144,000 total recurring revenue savings in 2019/20 and 2020/21 (savings for 2018/19 were rejected).

A further recurring saving of £150,000 is required from this review from 2019/20.

A project team is continuing to work on the options appraisal in order to identify a recommended option.

Reviewed recommendations and an outline operating model will be submitted to Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on November 28 of this year.

Convenor for the committee, Councillor Murray Lyle said: ”In June you approved the scope for a review of our two cultural trusts, Horsecross Arts and Culture Perth and Kinross, and asked for a progress report before final recommendations come to you at the end of November.

“Whilst there are approved savings attached to this review, the key driver behind it is making the most of our substantial investment in culture to protect front line delivery and meet our ambitions for cultural regeneration.

“The review is on track for completion to the time-scales I advised you about in June and we are very grateful to board members and senior staff from both trusts.

“The project team is now engaged with the options appraisal.

“There are no clear-cut conclusions from the review at this stage.”