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Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board responded to the launch of a £2 million Cultural Development Fund in yesterday’s Budget

"Councils recognise the tremendous role that culture and heritage plays in helping to create places where people want to live, work and visit.

“While yesterday’s announcement is helpful, further funding would genuinely make a difference in creating culture-led, place-based development in communities.

"Local authorities, alongside Arts Council England, are this country’s biggest public sector investors in culture.

"Despite significant reductions in central government funding, councils have adopted innovative ways of supporting and boosting culture and heritage. This includes setting up trusts to run cultural services, co-locating libraries with other public services, and reaching new audiences through digital innovation.

“Councils must play a central role in how this new fund is spent and distributed, which should complement existing commitments to the creative industries in the Industrial Strategy. Councils know their areas and are best placed to ensure any resources being deployed are spent as efficiently and effectively as possible, so their local communities, residents and businesses get the maximum benefits.”

Notes to editors

• The LGA's recent People, Culture, Place publication (with CCLOA) sets out the important role of culture in placemaking.
• Sir Peter Bazalgette’s independent review of the Creative Industries as part of the Industrial Strategy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-creative-industries