The report that Bristol City Council is considering options for the future management of the city's museums raises many questions (Evening Post, November 11), for change can bring many challenges.

The city council has been trying for well over two years now to establish a charity trust for the new Museum of Bristol, to help with fundraising towards the ever-rising costs of this project. At least three people have been approached to be the chair of this proposed charity.

Potential trustees have shied away. Why do experienced outside people not want to be involved? This doesn't bode well if the council wishes to transfer the status of the museums service entirely because, to be independent, a future museum-wide trust will need outside people as trustees.

In Glasgow the museums are managed on the council's behalf by a not-for-profit company. Glasgow did this on the back of a hugely successful campaign to raise funds for the restoration of its much-loved Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It set up the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal in 2002 and raised many millions of pounds towards the restoration costs. It was only after this that the transfer to Culture and Sport Glasgow, a registered charity, occurred.

Glasgow succeeded because it had the experience of setting up its earlier Development Trust. Bristol has been trying to do this for the Museum of Bristol and has not yet succeeded, despite having had plenty of time, money and advice (paid for by the council tax payers).

The council should not naively think that changes to the legal status of the museums service would instantly solve any underlying problems and issues. Internal cultural change is often needed before any external changes can successfully take root. That will mean an honest and open scrutiny, and that will be the hardest step of all for the museums service and the council to take, but it is owed to the taxpayers who are funding things. Accountability matters.

Doug Henderson, Clifton.