Councils are calling for a “national reset” of how culture is delivered in England through a new cultural framework.

Commissioned by the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association (CLOA) and the Local Government Association (LGA) the National Cultural Framework sets out for the first time a proposal to create a new coherent and robust cultural system that provides a shared responsibility for how culture is planned, funded and delivered.

The framework creates an accessible guide to the cultural partnership landscape at a time of significant change. It aims to change how existing investment is designed and used so it delivers more consistently for communities and places against their local priorities.

As we think about Rewiring the State, this Framework sets out how national, regional and local tiers of government can be better aligned under a national cultural strategy and locally owned cultural plans. It creates a blueprint for a sustainable and resilient cultural ecosystem focused on people and place.

It aims to meet the need to reflect local circumstances, cultural identities and the voices of local people, while creating greater national coherence.

The framework proposes six guiding principles covering the fundamental aspects of cultural investment and development: governance, accountability, investment, strategy, delivery and data.

Donna Pentelow, Chair of CLOA said:

“Culture is fundamental to thriving, liveable inclusive places and plays a vital role in supporting economic growth and wellbeing. The current system for supporting culture is not fit-for-purpose for delivery.

“Operationally, it is difficult to align local needs and national policies. A plethora of competitive funding schemes, with priorities that are determined centrally, create additional burdens on councils with limited capacity.

“CLOA sees devolution as an opportunity to create a system which is more responsive to the needs and ambitions of local places while at the same time properly acknowledging the complexity of the national picture. 

“A national cultural framework can better align national ambition with local priorities and will help to drive best value and positive impact from investment in culture in all our communities.”

Cllr Mick Barton, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Committee, said:

“Culture is fundamental to having successful places, where people want to live and work with a sense of identity and pride. Yet the cultural policy landscape in England needs overhauling. The existing system is too fragmented, with a lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities.

“Not having a jointly owned system where responsibilities of the different levels of governance are clearly understood risks culture falling through the cracks of differing strategic priorities of partners and piecemeal, short-term investment models.

“Devolution presents an opportunity to follow the lead of other countries and prioritise culture as a foundation for sustainable development and inclusive growth.

“This framework proposes a national cultural reset that creates a lasting legacy of stronger places, shared identity and opportunity.”