The Strategic Review of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) led by the Rt Hon George Reid is now complete.
The final report has now been published and makes a significant number of recommendations. These concern the streamlining of the Trust’s governance arrangements and steps required to develop a corporate plan that will sustain the Trust well into the future and enable it to go on caring for Scotland’s heritage. The report is to a great extent based on responses made by Members of the Trust and the public to the review process. It is very heartening and encouraging to see how many people feel so strongly about the Trust and its work.
Mr Reid concentrated on issues of long-term finance and governance and has made recommendations to ensure a ‘sustainable and secure’ future for the Trust.
The final report of the Strategic Review has been endorsed by the Trust’s Council and Board and will be submitted to Members at the Annual General Meeting to be held at the SECC in Glasgow on 25 September 2010.
Terry Levinthal, Director of Conservation Services and Projects at the NTS, said: “It’s important to highlight that the report does acknowledge that the management is already in the process of addressing key issues raised there, and in particular that there is already a substantial body of inventory information in different parts of the organisation and which we all recognise needs to be connected more effectively.”
Culture Minister, Fiona Hyslop, said: “I welcome George Reid’s report. I hope the report becomes a catalyst for change to help the Trust and its members modernise and equip the organisation to deliver its vital conservation role and also the related benefits to Scotland’s national identity, culture and economy. The level of interest this review has stimulated demonstrates just how passionately Scots feel about our heritage and how much we value it. The report’s recommendations provide the National Trust for Scotland with a platform to move forward and improve Scotland’s historic environment for years to come. The immediate priorities for the Trust are to manage its functions more effectively to protect the national heritage that has been entrusted to it. The Scottish Government believes that there needs to be more effective and sustainable partnerships developed by the Trust with other heritage organisations such as Historic Scotland and I am keen to see that fostered. By improving, changing and developing as an organisation the Trust can reaffirm its position as the country’s leading conservation charity. I look forward to discussing the implications of the report with the Trust in the near future.”
NTS – The Review: LINK
Historic Scotland News: LINK
Third Sector Article: LINK
