Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 7 Jan 2022 Closed: 3 Feb 2023 Parliament page
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 … Read more
9 Recommendations
13 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
3 Feb
2023
Report published
2 Nov
2022
Report published
14 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
14 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
21 Apr
2022
Oral evidence
21 Apr
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
22 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
22 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Global Academy, Hayes
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
14 Jun 2022
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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
21 Apr 2022
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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
22 Mar 2022
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Jonty Archibald · Global Academy Professor Dave O'Brien Professor Judith Mossman Professor Simon Shepherd
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking a… HC 155 2 Nov 2022 22 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
22 results
1 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
The long-term challenges continuing to face our high streets and town centres are well documented.
The long-term challenges continuing to face our high streets and town centres are well documented. Cultural placemaking can be (and in many places already is) one way that local communities, government and arm’s-length bodies respond to these challenges. It is … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is already providing significant support to local and regional cultural and creative organizations and partnerships, and to local and regional government, in order to galvanize place-based activity and achieve progress against the Levelling Up Missions through the £2.6bn UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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2 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
The Government should take steps to level up cultural opportunities and production across the country...
The Government should take steps to level up cultural opportunities and production across the country through its proposed statutory framework set out in the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill currently working its way through Parliament. We recommend that the Government commits … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights steps taken to rebalance funding across regions and commits additional Arts Council England funding to benefit culture and creativity outside London but does not explicitly commit to incorporating support for local arts and culture into the Statement for Levelling-Up Missions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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
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4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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 developing these sectors.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition...
We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition of public funding, including greater accessibility for audiences nationwide and support for grassroots organisations, in a similar way as to how the “crown jewels” of … Read more
Government Response
The government asserts that a national-level training program is not required because various skills and capacity-building schemes are already being delivered by the government, Arms-Length Bodies, and the wider sector.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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6 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
Despite efforts to rebalance the geographic disparities in investment in arts and culture through flagship...
Despite efforts to rebalance the geographic disparities in investment in arts and culture through flagship funds and competitive grants, we share concerns with the sector regarding the sustainability and accessibility of funding over the longer-term. We welcome that the Government … Read more
Government Response
The government recognizes barriers to sustainability and accessibility of funding but suggests local communities/authorities are empowered to make decisions, citing the Community Ownership Fund and devolved decision-making within the National Lottery Heritage Fund as examples.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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7 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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
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9 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
Consistent with the ambitions of Levelling Up, we recommend that local communities and stakeholders are...
Consistent with the ambitions of Levelling Up, we recommend that local communities and stakeholders are given a greater role in decision-making. This could be done by building on the Community Ownership Fund, reducing the bureaucracy in funding application processes, encouraging … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on education and skills in the creative industries but does not address the recommendation about empowering local communities and stakeholders in decision-making for funding and resources.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
Alongside its impact on individuals and households, the cost-of-living crisis poses an existential threat to...
Alongside its impact on individuals and households, the cost-of-living crisis poses an existential threat to the cultural, sporting and media organisations and infrastructures that are at the centre of our communities at a time when they need Reimagining where we … Read more
Government Response
The Government refutes the Committee’s claim that the Government and Arms-Length Bodies are not joining up with each other, and with local government, to convene and facilitate the collaboration which is key to Levelling Up local cultural infrastructure.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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11 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
The Government needs to engage with these sectors as a matter of urgency and bring...
The Government needs to engage with these sectors as a matter of urgency and bring forward targeted support in response to the current crisis, such as through VAT or business rate relief, to prevent exacerbating long-term scarring on organisations already … Read more
Government Response
The government does not agree with the Committee’s proposal that an audit and roadmap of skills in cultural placemaking and collaborative policymaking is necessary, and risks duplicating existing resources and programmes.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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12 Conclusion Not Addressed
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
It is a matter of serious concern that despite the UK’s status as home to...
It is a matter of serious concern that despite the UK’s status as home to successful, world-renowned creative industries, the sector is experiencing a significant and ongoing national skills shortage. This has compounded the issue of poor social mobility in … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses the value of public libraries and their role in supporting communities but does not address the skills shortage in the creative industries or poor social mobility highlighted in the conclusion.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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 practitioners.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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14 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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
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15 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
Arts and cultural education is important in its own right for the social benefits it...
Arts and cultural education is important in its own right for the social benefits it brings, but it is also an important factor in addressing issues of poor social mobility and the national skills shortage. While we welcome the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
The Government highlights its commitment to high-quality education, including arts, citing the national curriculum, funding for enriching activities, and investments in further education and skills development for the creative industries, but has no plans to expand the Music Hubs model to other art forms.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
We recommend that the Government take tangible steps to address the national skills shortage and...
We recommend that the Government take tangible steps to address the national skills shortage and incentivise cultural activity in education, starting by ensuring the long- term viability for schools that provide vocational, industry-backed qualifications. It should also expand the model … Read more
Government Response
The government is investing £3.8bn in further education and skills, rolling out new T Levels in Craft and Design, and Media, Broadcast and Production in 2023, introducing Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), and offering Skills Bootcamps in the creative industries, but does not plan to expand the Music Hubs model to other art forms.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
We have little faith that national government and arm’s-length bodies are taking a joined-up approach...
We have little faith that national government and arm’s-length bodies are taking a joined-up approach with local government to Levelling Up cultural infrastructure. Though cultural policy is devolved, and indeed central government should continue to resist centralising impulses, DCMS has … Read more
Government Response
The Government refutes the claim that it is not joining up with ALBs and local government, citing examples of partnership working, involvement in the LGA's Commission, the work of Lord Mendoza, and Arts Council England's efforts to engage stakeholders and build capacity in priority and Levelling Up areas.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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18 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
The “cultural compacts” initiative appears to have had a positive impact in bringing together local...
The “cultural compacts” initiative appears to have had a positive impact in bringing together local stakeholders, driving strategic planning for culture and facilitating local engagement, contingent on examples of best practice.
Government Response
The Government refutes the claim that it is not joining up with ALBs and local government, citing examples of partnership working, involvement in the LGA's Commission, the work of Lord Mendoza, and Arts Council England's efforts to engage stakeholders and build capacity in priority and Levelling Up areas.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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19 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
The Government should continue to support the initiative by aiming to at least double the...
The Government should continue to support the initiative by aiming to at least double the number of compacts, and explicitly target rural areas in this expansion to better understand and develop a blueprint as to how they can be established … Read more
Government Response
The government refutes claims that ALBs are not joining up and highlights examples of partnership working, stating that Arts Council England is specifically considering how compacts can help build capacity in Priority Places and Levelling Up for Culture places, and is engaging with partner Arms-Length Bodies about this.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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20 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
As part of this process, the Government should also undertake an audit of necessary skills...
As part of this process, the Government should also undertake an audit of necessary skills in cultural placemaking and collaborative policymaking, and provide a roadmap as to how the provision of these skills and best practice can be delivered and … Read more
Government Response
The government does not agree to undertake an audit and roadmap of skills in cultural placemaking and collaborative policymaking, believing it would duplicate existing resources.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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21 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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
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22 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Reimagining where w…
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 … Read more
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
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Government Response AI assessment · 22 of 9 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 8
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 5
Total 9 recs + 13 conclusions