The work of museums, libraries and archives to support learning and skills, wellbeing and bridging the digital divide showed that the sector is a driving force for empowering individuals and building better communities.
At a time when the economy is looking for a boost, culture-led regeneration programmes have the potential to bring long-lasting rewards and value for money, MLA chief executive Roy Clare told an audience of county councillors and officers today.
Speaking at the County Council Network conference, in Durham, he said that some councils needed to alter their mindset and see that a thriving cultural sector could bring benefits to large parts of the local authority agenda.
Roy Clare said: “The message to local authorities is that culture is not a cost, but an opportunity and is central to any strategy to deal with the major issues of the day – the local economy, bridging the social divide and shaping great places to live.”
He said museums, libraries and archives across the country were showing their value by supporting family learning, while libraries have made great strides to promote literacy, adult learning and skills and their partnerships with health services. If one adds to this the work of library services in helping jobseekers, it’s clear the sector is a driving force for empowering individuals and building better communities.
The public library network also has an important role to play in bridging the digital divide, between the haves and have nots, through free internet access and coaching sessions
And speaking about the Total Place initiative he said: “Local authorities need effective strategies for integrating culture into a wide range of service delivery and the MLA is here to give advice on this. It’s not good enough to withdraw funding for cultural services and trigger closures without having alternative strategies for delivery in place. “
Roy Clare also underlined that the MLA now had the resources to help county councils develop an improved cultural infrastructure through the advice and guidance of its field teams, relevant case studies and the Culture and Sport Planning Toolkit.
And for county councils looking at new, more efficient and effective governance for their cultural services the MLA is developing advice on different models that will suit best the varied needs of local authorities.
“What is good about devolved cultural services is that they can diversify their funding and increase their range of resources. The reduction of public funding in their budgets means that they are more likely to maintain a robust service even when their local authority has to impose cuts,” Roy Clare added.
The MLA is also working far more effectively in the regions with the other cultural agencies (Arts Council, English Heritage, Sport England and Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) on a common prospectus, which includes regeneration and improvement, such as the Living Places programme, and the economic benefits of a joined-up tourism strategy.
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Notes to editors:
1. The MLA is the government's agency for museums, libraries and archives. Leading strategically, we promote best practice to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all. Visit www.mla.gov.uk
2. Total Place is an ambitious government initiative that will consider how a ‘whole area’ approach to public services can lead to better services at less cost. There are 13 pilot areas across England participating in the scheme http://www.localleadership.gov.uk/totalplace/