The Local Government Association has called for action to be taken regarding funding for cultural services.
Outlining how spending on cultural services has been constrained over the course of the last ten years, with it becoming even more under threat due to the number of different funding streams and the way that the system for bidding for funding works.
Thanks to three infographics produced by the LGA, it is clear that local government is the largest single biggest source of culture funding, however a squeeze is also being placed on this investment due to the increasing demand for adult and children’s social care and homelessness services. As a result of these pressures, spending on culture and leisure services within councils has fallen in real terms by £2.3 billion since 2010/11 – this is outlined in one of the LGA’s infographics, below.
Considering all of this, the LGA has called for a sustainable and fair funding settlement for councils, allowing them to properly invest in community services, along with streamlining the funding pots that are available for culture programmes.
Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, Cllr Liz Green, said:
“Cultural services help to boost local economies by driving high street footfall, support creative industries and the visitor economy. They also promote better wellbeing and support educational outcomes while bringing joy and hope to people across society.
“However, our analysis shows that funding pressures, exacerbated by a complicated and time-consuming system for bidding for funding, has left councils increasingly unable to protect budgets for cultural and leisure services from cuts.
“Action is needed to secure a sustainable future for these vital services. By reducing the fragmented nature of culture funding, the government can ensure that local government remains a vital part of public culture funding and our cultural services face a brighter future.”
Image credit: iStock and the Local Government Association
