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Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board responds to Arts Council England’s new Delivery Plan.

"We look forward to working with Michael Gove as our new Secretary of State at MHCLG to build on this and ensure councils are backed with the resources and freedoms they need to build back local from the pandemic, level up communities and deliver more for our residents and communities.”

The new report, Securing the Future of Public Sport and Leisure Services published in partnership with the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association (CLOA) evaluates the current state of public sport and leisure services and sets out recommendations to ensure the survival and development of the sector.  Councils are currently the biggest investor in sport, leisure, parks and green spaces, spending £1.1 billion per year in England. They are unique in what they offer for communities, providing lifelong opportunities for all to be

"The Spending Review must set out how immediate and short-term pressures in social care will be addressed, working with councils, care workers and those with lived experience to build back better and help develop a care and support system fit for the future"

“The LGA is pleased this new report recognises the importance of local authorities to tourism, both as leaders of place and as direct deliverers of tourist attractions."

“Councils stand ready to support the NHS in the roll out of a booster vaccination programme, including using their unique local knowledge to help contact and prioritise all those who are eligible."

“Vaccines are our ultimate route out of this pandemic and councils want to play their full part in what will be our largest ever school vaccination programme, given their existing close working relationship with schools, parents and health professionals."

“Councils are at the forefront of efforts to lead the recovery from the pandemic, which includes delivering economic growth that is sustainable and benefits all. We want to work closely with the Government to help deliver on its levelling up commitment and deliver local investment across all parts of the country."

“Councils have worked tirelessly to tackle homelessness and the extraordinary effort to get thousands of rough sleepers off the streets during the pandemic is testament to this."

“Councils acted instantly when the pandemic struck to address the immediate crisis of getting thousands of rough sleepers off the streets to protect them from the spread of coronavirus."