A rapid decrease in the number of staff and relocation of two-thirds of its operations to Birmingham are the first steps in creating a “new MLA”, according to the organisation’s recently published Corporate Plan. The organisation, which is the Government agency for museums, libraries and archives, has identified three ‘strategic priorities’: learning and skills, communities and excellence, with a commitment to making the MLA “an excellent and efficient organisation”. The MLA, which will receive £62.3m from the DCMS in 2008/09, will also replace its independent
Regional Agencies with “a smaller, integrated, and refocused presence in the regions”, and will review the governance of the MLA Council. It will also retain “a small policy base in London”. The Plan states the MLA’s intention to provide strategic leadership for the sectors, through advocating access for all, extending the application of new technology and encouraging “transformed working practices and a performance culture”. Chief Executive Roy Clare said that the organisation had set itself “some tough but necessary challenges”. A new website will be launched in the autumn.