Scottish culture minister Linda Fabiani has confirmed that there will be no further hold ups in the setting up of Creative Scotland, the new body aimed at advising, supporting and investing in the creative industries across Scotland.

The establishment of the new institution failed to gain approval from Scottish Parliament in June, after parliament voted against the financial resolution, delaying the process of setting up the new body.

Creative Scotland is set to replace the two major arts quangos, the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) and Scottish Screen (SS), merging them to form a single body tasked with addressing the needs of the arts, screen and creative sectors.

Ms Fabiani said that she was "100 per cent committed" to establishing Creative Scotland as soon as possible.

"The Scottish Parliament has unanimously endorsed the principles of Creative Scotland, even though that bill did not pass in June," Fabiani said.

"The amalgamation of the Scottish Arts Council, and Scottish Screen and their transformation into Creative Scotland, is also in line with our commitment to reduce the size and simplify the organisational landscape of public services in Scotland."

Fabiani added that the Scottish Government is now working towards April 2009 for the new board of directors and chief executive to be in place, with the organisation maturing into a statutory body by February 2010.

Fabiani's statement was welcomed by the Scottish Art Council.

Richard Holloway, SAC chair, said: "We believe that the method chosen to achieve it brings new urgency to the process. We look forward to working together with the Government as we work towards the new organisation."