[cma-l] FYI - Sixteen local arts/media bodies' questions to Somerset County Council who are intending to cut the arts development budget by 100% next year.

[CMA-L]

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From: Phil Shepherd <philip at thrivesomerset.org>

Q: The Peter Boyden report that was co-commissioned by County Council states
that even a 30% cut to the arts sector would undermine the stability of the
arts sector and result in immediate and significant economic and social
impact. Over the past year representatives of the arts sector have worked
with you on a risk assessment process based on the Boyden report; could you
provide detail of the risk assessment you undertook on the impact of this
100% cut to the arts development budget?

Q: A high quality, vibrant arts sector in Somerset depends on the
partnership between volunteers and funded professionals who provide advice
and support to the sector, and plays a key role in the 'Big Society'. Nick
Hurd Minister for Civil Society outlines the Building a Stronger Civil
Society strategy that 'gives a clear plan for government support to
charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises as they adjust to a new
relationship with the state'.  The implication of the 100% cut proposed to
the arts development budget for next year is that in cabinet's eyes the arts
in some sense do not impact on 'real' issues. Nick Hurd also says "It's
important that we hear from the front line about the kind of support that
will really help them which is why we are launching a consultation".  How
does this 100% cut fit with this consultation?

Q: Arts development cannot be separated from economic development or the
creative industries. Development of the creative industries is a clearly
stated aim for both County Council and Central Government. Every £1 of
grants given to the arts brings in at least £15 of investment and earned
income into the county ­a combined arts turnover in excess of £3.75
million offers a return of 1500%, assisting the economic development of
Somerset. Market research, commissioned by 'Into Somerset', has shown that
the cultural offer in the county is a key factor in businesses deciding to
relocate to Somerset. The creative industries in Somerset employ more than
8000 people with an annual turnover in excess of £345 million. This is the
fastest growing sector in Somerset, and research demonstrates that a vibrant
arts community has a central role in building infrastructure across the
creative industries and in retaining the brightest graduates.   How does
council intend to mitigate the risks which are evident and obvious to all of
the above clear benefits through your proposed 100% cuts to the arts
development budget? What mechanism has SCC considered to continue inward
investment of the arts sector from other bodies, when it's own future
strategy places nil value on this growing sector?

Q: Annually there are 500,000 attendances at arts events and more than
25,000 people take part in arts and media projects over half of which take
place in areas of high deprivation. Research shows that participation in the
arts has a high impact on health, educational attainment, confidence and
quality of life.  These cuts will have a knock on effect on the NHS budget
and school budgets for example.  Cutting the arts development budget,
especially in a rural county, will impact on delivering statutory
requirements to more vulnerable members of our society, resulting in
widening inequality. What steps does council intend to take to mitigate this
impact ?

Q: You are proposing to cut the existing annual arts development budget of
£159,000 (just 30 pence per resident) by 100% next year even though this is
only 0.0004 of the overall spend of £350,158,841. Cuts of 26% over four
years would allow arts organisations to look for new sources of income and
survive. An unprecedented 100% cut to the arts development budget across the
county in one year will destroy the cultural core of Somerset.  The art
supported not only makes your citizens' lives less boring, it provides
essential training and apprenticeship to the profitable stars of tomorrow.
Any good CEO would classify this tiny amount (£159,000) as R&D and
ring-fence it.  Cutting it not only looks like you don't care about your
citizens' cultural life, it denies your county and your country the future
benefits of that investment. You, as elected councillors, are trustees of
one brick of the pyramid.  Remove it, and the stability of the whole thing
is threatened.  We don't know where the next success is going to come from.
All we do know, is that if you cut funding to the smaller organisations,
sooner or later you starve the larger ones to death. What impact does
council judge these cuts will make to these valuable connections and to the
reputation of this county nationally? Is council aware of  the quality of
the work, the programming, the national and European recognition of the
cultural offer in Somerset? Is it aware of the national and international
awards that have been attracted to the county through this sector's work?