Discuss Current Activity by Uk Local Authorities in Arts and Entertainments Provision

This essay will define UK Local Authorities and arts and entertainment, looking at current activity from 2, Local Authorities; Sheffield City Council and Waltham Forest Council. The essay will also discuss reasons why Local Authorities participate in arts and entertainment provision. I have chosen Sheffield and Waltham Forest as I have lived in both areas.

During 2007-2008, Arts Council England will be spending Ј1.6 billion of public money (up to Ј1.8 billion in 2010-2011, HM Treasury, 2007)) from Government and the National Lottery on supporting the art development in England. This money is available to all arts and entertainment companies, although many do not apply due to the time consuming, usually difficult process in applying for funding. Only 26% of companies actually receive any benefit at all as when applying the event must satisfy certain criteria which is usually set to them by Local Government, who base their policy on Arts Council England policies and agenda for 2006-08; who in turn base their policies on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS, policies shown below), and finally Central Government.

- Taking part in the arts

- Children and young people

- The creative economy

- Vibrant communities

- Internationalism

- Celebrating diversity

(Arts Council, 2006)

As you will notice later in this essay, specific Local Authorities policies are very similar to those that are listed above.

There are a total of 410 Local Authorities of England and Wales which “employs over 2 million people and it is estimated that each Local Authority carries out over 700 different functions.” (Local Government Association, 2006). UK Local Authorities primary objective is “endeavor to achieve the best outcomes for the local community having regard to the long term and cumulative effects of decisions.” In seeking to achieve its primary objective, a Council must have regard to the following facilitating objectives:

(a) Promote the social, economic and environmental viability and sustainability of the municipal district;

(b) Ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively and services are provided in accordance with the Best Value Principles to best meet the needs of the local community;

(c) Improve the overall quality of life of people in the local community;

(d) Promote appropriate business and employment opportunities;

(e) Ensure that services and facilities provided by the Council are accessible and equitable;

(f) Ensure the equitable imposition of rates and charges;

(g) Ensure transparency and accountability in Council decision-making.

(Local Government Charter, 1989).

There is no current legislation for providing provision for the arts, although as this essay demonstrates,