NTS Report 4 Aug 2010 - National Trust for Scotland

42
What You Feel about NTS
Core Purpose? — Conservation
Members were virtually unanimous that
the core purpose of NTS is conservation
of Scotland’s natural and cultural
heritage.
Many expressed the view that this
purpose was not articulated clearly
enough by the charity and that greater
effort should be made to identify this key
role to the people of Scotland.
Among comments attached to this
section: “I joined a cause. I did not join
to get free entry to properties”. And:
“This is a 310,000 membership
organisation. We have an absolute right
to make our views known on its Vision
and Mission.”
Members were then asked a series of
questions on how they would balance the
core conservation purpose with the
resources available to the charity.
Would they be prepared to see a
reduction in the portfolio of the Trust,
with a number of properties being
managed under guardianship
arrangements by other organisations?
Were they willing to enter into joint
partnership agreements with other
bodies? Did they have any proposals on
amalgamations and mergers? In
particular, and as a first step, did they
agree that NTS “should review its
portfolio of properties to evaluate the
“This is a 310,000
strong membership
organisation. We
have an absolute right
to make our views
known on its future.”
– Response from NTS
member
Volunteer members of NTS hard at work inputting data from the 9061 responses received to
the Review questionnaire. The review thanks Delma Dewar, Gillian Dimmock, Averil Fifer,
Caroline Gibston, Christine and Donald Helm, Magdalena Kanik, Dominique McKie, Samantha
Michan, Beate Pannasch, Anne Riddell, Irene Stirton, Millie Tupman, Peter Westerbrook and
Sally Whiteford for all their assistance.
best way of managing and funding them, including the exploration of new external
opportunities?”
Property Review? — Yes———————————————————————
Eight out of ten respondents believed that a
thorough review of the Trust’s current
portfolio was a necessary first step towards
charting the future direction of the charity.
Some expressed surprised that this had not
been done “as a matter of course”.
Others – just over 12% – wanted to know
what form such a portfolio review would
take. Was it a first step towards “getting rid
of properties” or “ending inalienability”?
Over eight out of ten respondents agreed,
however, with the question: “While retaining
its separate identity, should NTS seek the
widest possible cooperation with other
organisations to maximise income, marketing, shared services and the conservation and
promotion of the whole of Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage?” Only a very few
suggested “merger” with the National Trust or with Historic Scotland.
Does NTS need Reform?———————————————————————
Finally, members were asked whether they
supported a change agenda at NTS
embracing governance reform and more
strategic direction.
A solid three-quarters believed that such
reform is necessary and must happen.
A fifth more agreed, provided the changes
did not cause disruption. Only 2% of
respondents disagreed.
One respondent added: “With devolution we
now need to find Scottish solutions to
Scottish problems.”