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.