Summary and Background to the Bill
3.The Burrell Collection (“the Collection”) consists of around 8,000 items donated to the Council by Sir William and Lady Burrell in terms of an Agreement in 1944 (as revised) between Sir William, Lady Burrell and the Glasgow Corporation (a statutory predecessor to the Council) (“the Agreement”). The Collection is further augmented by the ongoing purchase in terms of Sir William Burrell’s Trust Disposition and Settlement dated 23 February 1953 and relative Codicils all registered in the Books of Council and Session on 11 April 1958 (“the Will”). The Will established the Sir William Burrell Trust, a registered Scottish charity (SC010109) (“the Burrell Trust”) which is managed and administered by charity trustees (“the Burrell Trustees”). Culture & Sport Glasgow, also a registered Scottish charity (SC037844) (known as Glasgow Life) manage and operate the Collection on behalf of the Council.
4.The terms of the 1944 Agreement and the Will contain restrictions relating to the lending of the Collection. The restrictions are considered by the promoter to be outdated and unduly restrictive in terms of promoting the Collection (by way of lending or touring) as one of Scotland’s most important cultural assets. The opportunity is also being taken to remove restrictions placed on the Council from taking receipt of items on loan from other museums and galleries which do not form part of the Collection and displaying them alongside items which do.
5.The purpose of the Act is to amend and update the powers which are currently afforded to the Council, as well as making consequential changes to the powers of the Burrell Trustees, in order to facilitate international lending and touring of selected parts of the Collection from time to time, to an accredited museum or public gallery (or gallery or museum with equivalent status). The Act will also clarify powers in relation to the receipt of items to be displayed in a manner which aims to further the understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the Collection. The powers sought in the Act are necessary to enable lending of items from the Collection, and borrowing of items from elsewhere for display alongside the Collection, in a manner which would be common to the other leading collections elsewhere in the United Kingdom and internationally.
6.In addition, there are important physical accommodation issues to consider. The Collection is currently housed in the heart of Pollok Country Park. However, the building is in need of significant renovation and refurbishment. If such work is carried out, there will be period of closure for that building. During that period, lending would provide practical benefits for the Collection and provide opportunities to seek financial and other support for the refurbishment work.