BRITISH COUNCIL
Written evidence submitted by the British
Council
Response from the British Council to the
Foreign Affairs Committee on its 8th report of Session 2003-04
(HC745)
INTRODUCTION
We are grateful to the Committee for its positive
comments on a number of aspects of our work, and in particular
in drawing attention (paragraph 179) to the valuable experience
and skills we bring to the UK's overall public diplomacy.
SR2004
We welcome the committee's continued support
for ring-fencing of our funding, and to its statement (paragraph
211) that its continuance both under SR2004 and in future spending
rounds is vital for the effective operation of the British Council
and the BBC World Service.
BRITISH COUNCIL
STRATEGY 2010
We agree with the committee's assessment that
the new 2010 strategy is ambitious and challenging (paragraph
182). We believe that while the Strategy is stretching, it is
both realistic and achievable. We are committed to ensuring that
we respond to changes in the global and technological environments
in a manner which makes our work both more efficient in its delivery
and more customer-focused in achieving our objectives.
We look forward (paragraph 182) to giving regular
updates to the committee on the progress of implementation of
the strategy, which will extend our reach to millions more users
and customers, and a greater focus on fulfilling outcomes.
ESTATES STRATEGY
The committee raised concerns (paragraphs 186
to 188) about the plans to reduce the estates footprint of the
British Council by 15% by 2007-08. We note the committee's concern
about the sale of valuable, appreciating properties for short-term
gain, but would point out that our commitment is to reduce space
occupancy and is not related to ownership of assets. In fact the
British Council now owns few buildings overseas and where possible
leases or rents accommodation.
Developments in IT and improvements in design
of work spaces bring the prospect of reducing the space required
in our offices. We plan to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of
the cost of overheads per square meterage globally, and identify
the action that needs to be taken against a backdrop of increased
costs due to security concerns.
In response to the recommendation in paragraph
188, we would point out our objective in reducing the size of
space occupancy is to use space more efficiently and to respond
to additional costs which arise from the need for additional security.
Every additional square metre is extra space which needs to be
secured: therefore, if we can place pressure on using less space,
this can assist in reducing our costs. The objective is not aimed
at consequential cuts in reach or in the range of operations around
the world.
BRITISH COUNCIL
OPERATIONS IN
RUSSIA
On the British Council's operations in Russia
(paragraphs 195 to 197), we are grateful to the committee for
its support in stating that attempts to impose tax charges on
our operations is not conducive to good bi-lateral relations or
to encouraging the valuable work we undertake in the Russian federation.
The signing of a new cultural centres agreement
(CCA) is the key to providing the framework for the resolution
of taxation issues. We have reminded the Russians that both parties
agreed a draft CCA three years ago, and actively seeking to complete
and sign the proposed agreement.
We are grateful to the support given by the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office and by the Embassy in Moscow in
particular for raising this issue with the Russian authorities.
ROLE IN
ACCREDITATION OF
EFL SCHOOLS
We welcome the committee's support of the Council's
role in superintending the work of EFL schools in the UK (paragraph
203). We are currently working closely with the Home Office and
the Department for Education and Skills on proposals to make the
accreditation of English language schools mandatory so that, from
a date to be decided, visas will only be issued to students applying
to an accredited EFL institution. This will build on the DfES
register of education providers, which is not intended to provide
quality assurance or accredit the learning provision of any registered
providers.
BRITISH COUNCIL
BRANDING
The committee expressed concern (paragraphs
204 to 207) about the current branding used by the British Council.
We introduced the new logo two years ago for a variety of reasons.
First, the old logo, using 49 1960s-style binary dots, was difficult
to reproduce on-line or on stationery. Second, it was indistinguishable
in publicity materials for multi-partner events when placed alongside
other logos. The new logo gives enables the organisation's name
to appear more prominently when featured with the logos of partner
organisations. The words "British Council" are integral
to the logo, and the four dots are not used separately. Third,
we required a more contemporary logo to match the more modern
look now adopted in our centres overseas, which showcase UK design
and style. In its two years of use it has been well received among
users of our centres and among partner organisations we work with
internationally.
The committee (paragraph 207) requested the
costs of the re-branding. The development costs amounted to £85,000
(plus VAT). Implementation costs are difficult to disaggregate,
but were minimal as introduction took place in a phased manner
as part of the standard refurbishment programme of Council premises.
The committee suggests (paragraph 206) the branding
issue may demonstrate the Council is "underplaying"
its Britishness. The British Council remains demonstrably committed
to increasing appreciation of the UK's ideas and achievements
(as stated in our revised purpose statement). We have also set
three outcomes to which we will work under our Strategy 2010.
These demonstrate how central "Britishness" is to our
mission. They are: improved perceptions of the UK, greater mutual
understanding between the UK and other countries, and stronger
ties between the UK and other countries.
We retain a strong commitment to "Britishness"
and to its portrayal through our work in the 110 countries we
are represented in. We seek to do this in ways which are relevant
and attractive to our audiences and which convey a contemporary
sense of the UK's creativity and diversity No Government department,
devolved administration, or indeed, the Westminster Parliament,
uses the Union flag in its logo in either its domestic or international
work. We will continue to use imaginative and effective ways of
representing "Britishness" in all areas of our work
abroad.
British Council
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