Hello everyone. I had a great couple of weeks off, and can vouch for the strength of the English visitor economy down on the South coast. Many historic houses and gardens were visited. And obviously now I'm back, we have the excitement of a new government!
It's all about the five missions. Government is creating mission boards, and at the LGA we're bring together colleagues across the organisation to focus our work under these themes (although without losing sight of our white paper priorities!). There are very clear links to culture, tourism and sport across all missions, but my plan is to focus on three:
- Kickstart economic growth - I think the cultural element of the portfolio plays strongest here, with the Business and Intellectual Property Centres and the huge opportunities offered by the Creative Industries and Visitor Economy. However, the productivity boosts offered by physical activity will also be important to play in.
- Build an NHS fit for the future - although the focus in the title is on the NHS, many of the levers for making the NHS more resilient over the longer term will lie in the services around the NHS. In other, words how do we prevent more people needing to use NHS services - our public leisure, sport, and parks services have a very clear role here, but they will need to look different to do this. I'm delighted we've contributed to the new Movement for Change; A National Active Wellbeing Service thinkpiece on what this could look like, as part of our membership of the Placebased Physical Activity Leadership Network (PPALN). Cultural services like libraries and museums also have a role here.
- Break down barriers to opportunities - this is the unifying mission, for me, bringing together all parts of my portfolio. The emphasis is on early years, but we musn't forget older people who want to reskill at different points of their life/careers. I also want to make sure the mission is not focused solely on acdemic settings and recognises the contribution of existing community assets such as libraries and leisure centres, which are already familiar and trusted spaces for many communities.
All this is at a fairly early stage of thinking, and has not yet involved our politicians on the culture, tourism and sport board, so I'm going to be doing a lot of refining over the next few weeks. This will also have to inform our submission to the Spending Review expected in September, with internal proposals having to be finalised (in first draft) by next week. So not much time to involve people in co-creation, although I will do my best. It's going to stretch my small team of 2.1 FTE people (including me).
- The National Alliance for Cultural Services continues to develop, with a very positive meeting with library colleagues on Monday. We're keen that the Alliance delivers on the culture commission recommendations by creating a broad narrative and framework within which the service specific areas can find room for their own needs and lobbying. Libraries were first up, and I think it worked well.
- The LGA has welcomed Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, as its new Chair. Louise is the first female Labour leader of the LGA, and only the second female leader in the LGA's history, so we're delighted to welcome her. Louise previously held the portfolio for culture and wellbeing and is a passionate advocate of grassroots culture and sport, so we look forward to working with her. Further changes to LGA structures, including the Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, will now work through with appointments in August, ready for the first meetings in September.
Things you might like to know
- I attended the English Public Libraries Group which included a good discussion on support to services in engaging all parts of their communities.
- I met with Duncan Parish, DCMS Deputy Director for Visitor Economy, to discuss regional visitor economies and local government, including the LVEP transition.
- We have appointed a new supplier for a second round of our visitor economy training for officers, and will be announcing details of the offer shortly.
- We have published our briefing on the King's Speech, with both the Martyn's Law (Terrorism: Protection of Public Places) and Football Governance Bills having relevance to our services.
- Leadership Essentials: Sport and physical activity, (12noon)13 November – 14 November 2024 for councillors with the responsibility for physical activity (Crewe)
This free to attend programme aims to support councillors to develop skills and networks to support their role as leaders within local systems, working with communities and wider partners to tackle local challenges, such as health and social inequalities.
To find out more contact [email protected]
- Leadership Essentials: Culture, 4 – 5 November 2024 for councillors with the responsibility for culture (Warwick Conferences)
?This free to attend programme aims to support councillors?to develop skills to be exceptional leaders of arts and culture in their places, build networks, work as confident decision-makers, champions and system leaders with partners and communities to tackle local challenges, such as health and social inequalities. The programme begins with dinner at 7pm on 4 November, followed by a full programme on 5 November.
?To find out more contact [email protected]
- Culture and library peer challenges
We are offering councils the chance of a peer challenge to inform strategic activity tailored to their local place and communities. Peer challenges are carried out to your specification aimed at improving, not judging, your council. These are fully-funded by Arts Council England and take place either in person or online over two days. You can find out more about what is entailed and how to apply on our improvement page.
Have a great weekend, and see you next week for another exciting installment of LGA Culture, Tourism, and Sport.
