Briefing Paper on the Comprehensive Spending Review

The Government has recently published its Comprehensive Spending Review - Modern Public Services for Britain: Investing in Reform (Cm 4011). This document is especially important because it defines the parameters of public expenditure up until the next general election and, as an approach, is meant to replace the annual expenditure round. In addition to the White Paper itself a number of Government Departments have issued press releases and consultation documents relating to proposed expenditure in their respective areas of interest. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has issued a substantial consultation document, including a paper on libraries. Naturally, The Library Association will be responding  to DCMS by 2 October.

In particular, we intend to comments on the DCMS proposals:

1. To move management responsibility for the main LIS research programme from the British Library to the Library and Information Commission;
2. To incorporate the Advisory Council for Libraries into the Library and Information Commission;
3. To merge the Museums and Galleries Commission and the Library and Information Commission to form a new Museums and Libraries Commission;
4. To create a new regional structure, based on the geographical areas to be covered by the Regional Development Agencies, and reflecting the portfolio of DCMS at a regional level;
5. To alter the legal status of the British Library to allow it to take greater advantage of commercial opportunities and private sector funding.

A Briefing Paper on the Comprehensive Spending Review has been prepared for the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries. It takes a broader look at the CSR, noting some of the major features in other Government Departments as well as DCMS.

Guy Daines
Head of Professional Practice
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE

10 August 1998

Notes

1. Details of the White Paper are:

Modern Public Services for Britain: Investing in Reform: Comprehensive Spending Review: New Public Spending Plans 1999-2002. The Stationery Office, 1998. (Cm 4011) (ISBN: 0-10-140112-4) £18

2. The DCMS consultation paper details are:

The Comprehensive Spending Review: A New Investment in Culture. DCMS, 1998. (Obtainable from: DCMS Public Enquiry Unit, 2- 4 Cockspur Street, London SW1P 5DH. Tel: 020 7211 6200 Fax: 020 7211 6032)

The consultation paper is also available on the DCMS webpage. The URL is: http://www.culture.gov.uk/CSRALL.HTM

The consultation paper has a number of sections which can be ordered singly or collectively. These are: Covering letter from Chris Smith; DCMS and the Regions; Museums and Galleries; Libraries; The Arts; Sport; The Built Heritage; Architecture; Tourism; A New Watchdog; and Film