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"Councils recognise the tremendous role that culture and heritage plays in helping to create places where people want to live, work and visit. “While today’s announcement is helpful, further funding would genuinely make a difference in creating culture-led, place-based development in communities. "Local authorities, alongside Arts Council England, are this country’s biggest public sector investors in culture. "Despite significant reductions in central government funding, councils have adopted innovative ways of supporting and boosting culture and heritage. This includes setting up

"This funding demonstrates that the Government have heard our calls for greater recognition of the vital role that libraries play in helping businesses to innovate and grow."

“It is great news that gyms and leisure centres can reopen, and many people will be hugely excited about being able to safely visit them again."

"Councils want to keep parks open, but people need to follow the social distancing advice."

The coronavirus outbreak poses serious risks to the country’s network of cultural organisations unless there is a joined-up approach to supporting them, the Local Government Association and Arts Council England set out today.

"Councils want to protect and maintain the live music venues in their communities and this much-needed update to the planning rules will help achieve a fair and balanced solution between the obligations of housing developers and protecting our vital grassroots music scene."

Leisure centres could fall into a state of disrepair and even be forced to close without urgent new investment from government, councils warn today.

Despite rising demand for services and central government funding reductions, councils continue to be the biggest investors in culture, bringing communities across the country together.

“Councils are uniquely placed to build on community strengths in partnership with Arts Council England, and the greatest impact can be achieved through locally-led culture facilities, including museums, libraries and arts organisations."

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, responds to Arts Council England’s announcement to provide £160 million for the cultural sector.