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

8 items
3 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

Despite the potential for the creative industries to help drive the Government’s Levelling Up agenda,...

Despite the potential for the creative industries to help drive the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, funding and support for arts and culture emulates the broader geographic disparities that affect the UK economy and society as a whole. The Government and its arm’s-length bodies have taken some welcome steps to redress …

Government response. The government acknowledges concerns regarding sustainability and accessibility of funding for the arts and culture sector over the long term, and welcomes the government listening to recommendations regarding guaranteed funding and the broadened scope for bidding areas.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
4 Recommendation Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

We recommend that the Government and Arts Council England reconsider how they allocate funding by...

We recommend that the Government and Arts Council England reconsider how they allocate funding by regions. We propose a model whereby world class, national cultural institutions, who often receive the most significant levels of public cash, are categorised and allocated funding separately from local and regional cultural institutions. This would …

Government response. The Government appreciates the importance of guaranteed and long-term public funding settlements for giving local and regional government the confidence to continue investing in local cultural ecosystems, and recognizes the investment local and regional government has invested in supporting and …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
7 Recommendation Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

We recommend that the Government should consider how it can support arts and culture through...

We recommend that the Government should consider how it can support arts and culture through means other than one-off or flagship funds but, instead, generate sustainable public funding settlements and pump-prime private sector investment. Recent reforms to funding competitions like the UK City of Culture, such as guaranteed and expanded …

Government response. The Government acknowledges the issues facing DCMS sectors because of rising inflation and energy prices and continues to gather evidence. It describes the Energy Bill Discount Scheme that will provide broad support across the economy to businesses and charities.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
8 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

While our inquiry focused on the financial barriers to cultural placemaking, there are many factors...

While our inquiry focused on the financial barriers to cultural placemaking, there are many factors that co-determine whether local places can develop and maintain sustainable cultural infrastructure. Our inquiry has heard potential policy recommendations from stakeholders across the sector and across the country; we hope that the Government continues to …

Government response. The Government recognises skills gaps and shortages in some parts of the creative industries and will tackle these issues, including removing barriers to entry and progression in the creative workforce, as part of the Creative Industries Sector Vision.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
13 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

Current working arrangements within the creative industries, such as the emphasis on freelancing and volunteer...

Current working arrangements within the creative industries, such as the emphasis on freelancing and volunteer work, lack of work experience opportunities and need to relocate to London and the South East, are anathema to the aspirations of levelling up people’s prospects across the UK. We are particularly concerned by reports …

Government response. The Government recognizes skills gaps and under-representation from low socio-economic backgrounds in the creative industries and will address these in the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision and Cultural Education Plan; Arts Council England also encourages good practice in working with …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
14 Recommendation Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

We encourage arm’s-length bodies, especially those responsible for administering funding on behalf of Government such...

We encourage arm’s-length bodies, especially those responsible for administering funding on behalf of Government such as the Arts Council and Historic England, to take further steps and ensure that organisations in the sector are working to improve working conditions across the creative industries as a key part of delivering on …

Government response. The government recognizes the need to improve working conditions across the creative industries and will address skills gaps and shortages, including removing barriers to entry and progression, as part of the Creative Industries Sector Vision and Cultural Education Plan.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
21 Conclusion Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

The services and spaces offered by public libraries remain an important part of a community’s...

The services and spaces offered by public libraries remain an important part of a community’s infrastructure for people who are digitally excluded or who live in deprived neighbourhoods.

Government response. The government acknowledges the value and important role of public libraries as part of local community infrastructure.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
22 Recommendation Third Report - Reimagining where we liv… Acknowledged

The Government should support the development of a network of hubs providing cultural spaces, workspaces...

The Government should support the development of a network of hubs providing cultural spaces, workspaces and free, fast internet access in places most in need of levelling up in order to modernise library service provision. (Paragraph 114) Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda 59

Government response. The government acknowledges the value and important role of public libraries as part of local community infrastructure. They highlight existing support through the BIPC network and other resources.
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 ↗