Thomas Bridge 24 July 2014

Councils urged to share arts and culture services

Councils should find alternative ways to sustain local arts and culture by co-operating with other town halls, a report claims.

According to think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN), town halls should now look to share services such as libraries and theatres as funding cuts are handed down to local cultural sites.

On with the show also pushes local authorities to put cultural organisations out to a charitable trust or a similar arm’s length arrangement where alternative sources of funding might be more accessible.

The NLGN said councils should examine whether arts and cultural organisations can align their outcomes with alternative local priorities – such as health and wellbeing – in order to maximise their impact and diversify income streams.

Figures suggest council funding for the arts and culture has fallen by 19% in the last three years.

Findings from the report suggest that while councils still recognise and champion the value of arts and culture to their communities, they struggle to provide support via traditional grant giving channels.

Writing in the study, Alan Davey, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: ‘Without local government’s commitment, there is no great art and culture for everyone.

‘We recently announced our investment across England during 2015 to 2018 and we want to talk to local government about how we and they can work together over this period.

‘Local government has a history of entrepreneurialism and innovation that I think will be at the heart of the effort to sustain our cultural sector. Already councils are looking at what new partnerships can bring, new delivery models, and different ways of engaging communities.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Administrator

Amey
Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Depot Administrator to join our Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) contract in Bristol. Bristol
Recuriter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

Amey
Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative to join our in Area 10– Strategic Highways account . Runcorn
Recuriter: Amey

Planner - Highways

Amey
Competitive Salary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Planner to join our dynamic Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) team. Aust, GB, BS35 4BD
Recuriter: Amey

Assistant Gardener

Wakefield Council
£24,790.00 - £25,183.00, Grade 4, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an Assistant Gardener Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Care Assistant x2

Wakefield Council
£13,400.00 - £13,612.43, Grade 4, 20 hours, Permanent
We are looking for two experienced Care Assistants as part of our Dovecote Lodge Care Team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.