Our Cultural Challenge in The Borders

According to the BBC web site, plans to transfer control of Scottish Borders' libraries and museums to a charitable trust could fall foul of the law. This is according to Unison, the trade union whose members would be most affected.
According to Unison, moral reasons made the plan a non-starter.
As they were unlawful, under the 1887 Public Libraries Act.

Are they serious? An act brought in over one hundred years ago when our society operated in a wholly different way should be used to stand in the way of a discussion and possible change that might allow for our cultural improvement in the 21st century?

The legislation imposed a statutory duty on councils to run library and museum services. The union said the Act had never been repealed therefore hiving the service off would "clearly breach" that legislation. Unison mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge to Glasgow City Council's decision to transfer cultural and leisure services to a charitable trust last year. The union has condemned the "uncertain future" of a "democratically accountable public service".

For me what we should be exploring is every possible way to improve and invigorate our cultural facilities in the Borders. With the internet, changing reading patterns, our ability to travel more freely and the financial demands placed upon us by our changing economy we must look at new and innovative ways to meet this challenge.

Museums, Arts and Libraries in the Borders

Interesting item on the BBC web site today about our libraries, museums and the arts. It suggests that Scottish Borders Council would hand over direct control of Museum, art gallery and library services to a trust rather than directly by Scottish Borders Council. This is as part of a reshaping of education and social work.

It's similar to the system that's already in use for swimming pools and leisure centres. The proposals will be put out for public consultation and a final decision will be taken in November. Councillor Graham Garvie said it was a matter of adapting to changing needs. Running the services as a trust could mean it would qualify for tax breaks and fresh funding not available to the council. Under employment law, pay and conditions of existing staff would be protected.
But the Unison union said nationally such charitable trusts had meant cuts in leisure facilities because of reductions in local authority subsidies.

A very important debate to be had, but as important as the concept is the who will run it? The Trustees? How will funding be assured from SC and how can we seek to improve this area of Border's life not just save money?