}
UK operations
8 The UK challenge
Total global budget by activity programme
1990/91
Specialist work in
science and education 11%
Libraries, books
and information 12%
English language and literature 12%
Arts 5%
£348 million
Interchange of people 60%
8.1 In order to achieve its objectives, the British Council needs an efficient system in the UK for delivering services, with appropriate specialist back-up and the ability to identify UK resources to match overseas needs. The three principal clients for its UK services are:
Representatives overseas
• FCO
• ODA.
Alongside these are others of major significance, including:
• ILAS
⚫ the higher education constituency in Britain
⚫ the English language teaching constituency in Britain
•
British business and commerce
• British publishers and examinations boards
•
foreign governments and agencies.
Figure 12
8.2 The task of the Council's operation in Britain is to meet the requirements of these diverse clients efficiently, with quality services at competitive prices. The challenges facing the UK operation in the triennium are thus very much related to shifting and developing markets and to the changing relationship with the three principal clients. The latter has a direct and
fundamental influence on the organizational shape and operational direction of the Council's UK services.
8.3 British Council Representatives have country objectives, agreed with their geographical department at headquarters in consultation with FCO and ODA. UK departments and offices create and manage services and products through which Representatives achieve their objectives. In line with devolved financial accountability, UK managers increasingly contract their services to Representatives (and contract services from them). Representatives' satisfaction with those services is a key performance indicator; alternative sources for those services represent competition.
8.4 FCO's involvement in the Council's conduct of Britain's cultural relations overseas is based on partnership and co-operation. Cultural objectives are achieved through Council programmes, and also through the FCO SAS. FCO contracts Council services for the latter, negotiating with managers at headquarters. Flexibility and accurate cost control are key.
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