“We endorse the clear recognition of Arts Council England’s vital, ongoing role in supporting local culture alongside councils.
Responding to the independent review of Arts Council England, Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Committee, said:
“We endorse the clear recognition of Arts Council England’s vital, ongoing role in supporting local culture alongside councils.
“It is good the review has recognised the crucial role of local government in supporting the cultural sector, as provider of 51 per cent of all public funding and provider of statutory library services.
“While councils remain committed to culture, any new statutory responsibilities must be fully funded.
“We also support the commitment to fiscal devolution, however this must go with the grain of new reforms to neighbourhood governance, and should build on established models of local cultural partnerships, such as cultural Compacts.
“We look forward to working with government on implementing these recommendations, where they can work best for local communities.”