Review of External Investment in Culture and Sport
What is this review?
This review, put simply, is a detailed assessment of Aberdeen City Council's external investment in culture and sport. This will include the review of external bodies who currently receive partnership investment or a significant culture or sports grant. Furthermore the review will also consider the current structure of cultural and sporting grants, giving consideration to how these could be developed in future years.
Information on the range and level of this investment, including current recipients, can be found by clicking on the below link.
External Investment in Culture and Sport
Why is this review taking place?
Due to the challenging financial climate facing Local Authorities, this review has been developed in order to ensure that a reduction in the level of financial investment does not negatively impact on the city's cultural and sporting priorities. This review forms part of Aberdeen City Council's the Next Five Year Business Plan and has been chosen over alternative options such as seeking to implement a fixed percentage reduction on each investment programme. For further information on this business plan and the Priority Based Budgeting draft report please click on the link below. Within this report you can find information on the proposed financial implications relating to this review (Reference ECS1-C10).
The review does not disguise that difficult decisions will have to be taken however it does ensure that these decisions are taken with full consideration of all available options and all potential implications. It sets out to explore new ways of working through increased partnerships and innovative thinking, aiming to ensure that the external investment provided by Aberdeen City Council remains focused on the delivery of quality culture and sport services.
While the difficult financial context has provided a catalyst to undertake this review it provides only part of the rationale for such an approach. The review also aims to develop Aberdeen City Council as a partner and as an investor. We want to explore how we can improve the support that is provided to external bodies and to ensure that the funding provided is used effectively to deliver upon the city's priorities.
What will we review?
The review is broken down into seven key areas:
- Organisational Profile
- Strategic Planning
- Finance & Governance
- Partnership Working
- Quality
- Capacity
- Alternatives
Further information on each can be found in the Executive Summary available to download at the foot of this page.
Process
The review will include a combination of research based on existing information and structured dialogue with partners. This will result in a report which will contain recommendations for future external in culture and sport being presented to the appropriate Council Committee for consideration.
The proposed timetable is as follows:
- Initial partners meetings - January 2012
- Review begins - January 2012
- Progress updates (Partners) - April, August & October 2012
- Progress updates (Elected Members) - August & December 2012.
- Draft report - October 2012
- Final report - January 2013
- Committee cycle - February/March 2013
Further Information
To download a copy of Executive Summary of the Review of External Investment in Culture and Sport please click on the link.
Executive Summary - Review of External Investment in Culture & Sport
Contact
Gary Cameron
Commissioning Officer
Education, Culture and Sport
Aberdeen City Council
Business Hub 13
Second Floor North
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
(01224) 522744