National Performance Framework
What does it mean for Museums Galleries Scotland?
The framework
The purpose of the framework is to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing economic sustainable growth. The Scottish Government launched the National Performance Framework in November 2007.
The framework outlines the Scottish Government’s plans for a greater alignment of work in the public sector, greater partnership working and a more outcome based approach. All Local Authority and public sector work needs to use the National Performance Framework. At the end of June 2009 all 32 Local Authorities signed Single Outcome Agreements (SOA) which lay out how they can take the framework forward in their local areas.
Cultural Bodies will not be required to produce an SOA but will be required to address the National Performance Framework in their business plans. Guidance for public bodies has been issued by the Scottish Government.
So what does this mean for Museums Galleries Scotland?
We are currently working with key partners like the Scottish Government and Vocal to assess the implications for cultural bodies, which includes museums. We need to record our work and the work of our members against the national performance framework:
- So we can track progress and delivery of services
- See our contribution to the national picture and economic growth
- Can compare the delivery of public bodies
- See where our work fits into the National picture
- Demonstrate the value of museums and galleries to Government
Key ways we can do this is through evaluation, information gathering, guidance to Local Authorities, work on key performance indicators and developing the Quality Improvement System.
There is a clear role to offer advice to our members to allow them to input effectively with the Single Outcome Agreement process. We will continue to work nationally to ensure museums and their impact is represented within the Framework.
For more information on the framework, contact the Head of Research and Standards.