Public Servant Lifestyle

The The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) will now carry out the following functions – which they assume from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on behalf of the Secretary of State:

The Acceptance in Lieu Scheme, which allows people, in some cases, to settle their Inheritance Tax liabilities with important objects of artistic, historic and scientific interest. The MLA will take decisions on where such items will be allocated.

The Government Indemnity Scheme, which provides cover for loss or damage suffered to items lent to institutions in the UK. Having previously administered the scheme for loans to non-national institutions, MLA will now provide this service for the national organisations too.

The Secretariat to the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art (decisions on export licence deferrals will continue to be taken by DCMS ministers following the recommendations of the Reviewing Committee). These changes follow recommendations made in the Goodison Review, published last year. They came into effect on 1 April 2005. From May, MLA will also take over the function of export licensing for cultural goods. Overall responsibility for policy making in these areas will remain with ministers.

Mark Wood, MLA Chairman, said: "This transfer enables MLA to become the authoritative body for advice and guidance to buyers and sellers of important cultural objects, as well as to government. High qualities of service will be maintained but now under a one-stop-shop alongside MLA's existing cultural property portfolio, in line with Sir Nicholas Goodison's recommendations."

See also on Lifestyle:

Transforming DCMS - Positive review issued on transforming the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).

The MLA and the nine regional agencies work in partnership to provide strategic direction and leadership for museums, libraries and archives across England. Together these agencies work to improve people’s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the museums and library sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future. For more information about the work of the MLA and the 'Designation' scheme, visit The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council website.

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