Over 50% of local authorities believe that their arts services are vulnerable to a squeeze in public sector funding according to a BBC survey published yesterday.  The survey of 93 local authorities – around 26% of all English local authorities – showed that 50 councils thought their arts services and library services were vulnerable whilst 42 councils thought their leisure services were also vulnerable.

The BBC survey and accompanying map identified council jobs most at risk in Barking and Dagenham, Bradford, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire, Merton, Stoke-on-Trent, Surrey, Torbay, Warwickshire and Wigan.

The BBC survey was accompanied by the news that Northamptonshire County Council has cut its performing arts and music budget by £50,000 next year. The BBC also reports that Lincolnshire County Council is considering mothballing the Haven Art Gallery in Boston, Lincs (pictured) for two years to save money. The Haven is an MLA accredited museum which opened five years ago.

Communities Secretary John Denham (pictured) today set out ways that local government can protect its frontline services.
 
The report “Putting the Frontline First” was drawn up by Sir Richard Leese, Leader  of Manchester City Council and Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham.  It identifies ten things that   councils must do to protect frontline services (see extended post for details).

Commenting on the report, John Denham said "Councils have some tough choices in the next few years as things become tighter. But that is no reason to lower their sights on the service quality people rightly value. Government is working hard to make sure councils have explored every possible option before resorting to wholesale budget cuts that will affect frontline services and jobs."

nalgao yesterday launched ‘Outside In’, a study examining the issues and opportunities in contracting out local authority arts services.  The report was launched at a seminar of the same name in London attended by 180 people.  Produced by Paul Kelly of Cultural Futures and Rick Bond of The Complete Works, the 60 page ‘Outside In’ report identifies five different ways that local authority arts services can be externalised.  The report authors talked to nine different organisations about the issues and benefits involved in alternative ways of delivering arts services and their report is packed with anecdotal detail and practical checklists.

The ‘Outside In’ report also briefly examines the opportunities offered by Strategic Commissioning which is increasingly being undertaken by local authority childrens’ services and care services. 

Lorna Brown, Chair of nalgao said, “At a time of growing pressure on local authority arts services, nalgao considered alternative delivery mechanisms at its conference last October and the possibility these offered of protecting long-established arts services.  We realised we needed to share authoritative information with our members. It has taken just four months from our conference to the release of this well researched, valuable and timely report. That must be something of a record in local government response times.  I am delighted that nalgao is able to offer its members this valuable advice. We are looking to build on this excellent research over the year ahead with updates on our website.”

The ‘Outside In’ report was produced with the financial support of Arts Council England.
 
Click here to download the Outside In report.