Select Committee · Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Jan 2022 Closed: 3 Feb 2023 9 recommendations 13 conclusions 1 report

The role that culture might play in delivering a Government commitment to level up the country is the focus of a new inquiry launched today, Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda. The DCMS Committee’s inquiry will consider funding for cultural initiatives and how well the current model ensures that distribution …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Reimagining where we live: cultural placemak… HC 155 2 Nov 2022 22 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
1 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Accepted

The long-term challenges continuing to face our high streets and town centres are well documented.

The long-term challenges continuing to face our high streets and town centres are well documented. Cultural placemaking can be (and in many places already is) one way that local communities, government and arm’s-length bodies respond to these challenges. It is evident that placed-based cultural policymaking can help deliver on the …

Government response. The government states it is already providing significant support to local and regional cultural and creative organizations and partnerships, and to local and regional government, in order to galvanize place-based activity and achieve progress against the Levelling Up Missions through …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
5 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Accepted

We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition...

We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition of public funding, including greater accessibility for audiences nationwide and support for grassroots organisations, in a similar way as to how the “crown jewels” of sport have differing broadcasting expectations. One overall ambition for Levelling …

Government response. The government asserts that a national-level training program is not required because various skills and capacity-building schemes are already being delivered by the government, Arms-Length Bodies, and the wider sector.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
6 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Accepted

Despite efforts to rebalance the geographic disparities in investment in arts and culture through flagship...

Despite efforts to rebalance the geographic disparities in investment in arts and culture through flagship funds and competitive grants, we share concerns with the sector regarding the sustainability and accessibility of funding over the longer-term. We welcome that the Government has listened to our recommendations regarding guaranteed funding and the …

Government response. The government recognizes barriers to sustainability and accessibility of funding but suggests local communities/authorities are empowered to make decisions, citing the Community Ownership Fund and devolved decision-making within the National Lottery Heritage Fund as examples.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
15 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Accepted

Arts and cultural education is important in its own right for the social benefits it...

Arts and cultural education is important in its own right for the social benefits it brings, but it is also an important factor in addressing issues of poor social mobility and the national skills shortage. While we welcome the Government’s efforts to introduce a National Plan for Music Education and …

Government response. The Government highlights its commitment to high-quality education, including arts, citing the national curriculum, funding for enriching activities, and investments in further education and skills development for the creative industries, but has no plans to expand the Music Hubs model …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
16 Recommendation Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Accepted

We recommend that the Government take tangible steps to address the national skills shortage and...

We recommend that the Government take tangible steps to address the national skills shortage and incentivise cultural activity in education, starting by ensuring the long- term viability for schools that provide vocational, industry-backed qualifications. It should also expand the model of music education hubs outlined in the National Plan for …

Government response. The government is investing £3.8bn in further education and skills, rolling out new T Levels in Craft and Design, and Media, Broadcast and Production in 2023, introducing Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), and offering Skills Bootcamps in the creative industries, but …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
19 Recommendation Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Accepted

The Government should continue to support the initiative by aiming to at least double the...

The Government should continue to support the initiative by aiming to at least double the number of compacts, and explicitly target rural areas in this expansion to better understand and develop a blueprint as to how they can be established beyond urban centres. Consistent with the “fifth pillar” of Levelling …

Government response. The government refutes claims that ALBs are not joining up and highlights examples of partnership working, stating that Arts Council England is specifically considering how compacts can help build capacity in Priority Places and Levelling Up for Culture places, and …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
14 Jun 2022 Dr Darren Henley CBE · Arts Council England, Duncan Wilson OBE · Historic England, The Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay · Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Tom Stickland · Theatres Trust View ↗
21 Apr 2022 Clare Reddington · Watershed, Councillor Abi Brown · Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Keith Merrin · Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, Sanaz Amidi · Rosetta Arts, Tim Joel · Preston City Council View ↗
22 Mar 2022 Jonty Archibald · Global Academy, Professor Dave O'Brien, Professor Judith Mossman, Professor Simon Shepherd View ↗