I write to reassure your readers about the future for our highly valued and crucially important cultural services in Oxfordshire under a new local government structure with one council instead of six. No one can argue with the vital role that cultural services play in building stronger and healthier communities and boosting economic growth. The business case is very clear about the social benefits of culture in terms of health, education and community cohesion.

I believe that a new unitary council for the county would have the resources and the political will to engage fully with the cultural sector not only because it provides nearly £2billion towards the local economy, but also because it is a vital ingredient in the wellbeing of our residents - giving them a sense of belonging and pride in the place where they live, work and visit.

In the Summer of 2016, OxLEP, Oxfordshire County Council, Arts Council England and others launched a new strategic investment plan for the county’s Creative, Cultural, Heritage and Tourism (CCHT) sectors. 
The investment plan builds upon the vibrancy and success of these sectors within the county’s economy and recognises the unique and crucial role that the CCHT sectors play in bringing communities together. Councillor Bob Price of Oxford City Council was on the working group that led to this plan being adopted. It is crucial to note that this plan was adopted by the OxLEP which should provide strong reassurance as regards continuity and commitment to the cultural sector throughout and beyond any local government reorganisation.

However it is obvious that a new council (armed with more than £100m over five years for frontline services as a result of having one council instead of the current six) would see it as in its own interests to commit to the cultural sector – thus providing a further safeguard. 

The new council will have between 15 and 20 local area boards covering the city of Oxford, our market towns and surrounding areas across Oxfordshire – giving communities a strong voice and ensuring local matters are heard. They will have significant budgets and the ability to make important local decisions such as prioritising investment in local cultural organisations. 

The simple fact is that our county attracts 26.7 million visitors per year, spending £1.86 billion in the local economy, supporting 32,000 jobs – 10% of the county’s workforce. 

Since 2012, Oxfordshire has grown faster than all other Local Enterprise Partnership areas, with the exception of London, making a significant contribution to UK economy. 

Promoting the cultural elements of Oxfordshire’s successful economy is therefore vital to the future prosperity of our part of the world but also that of the whole country and is in everyone’s interests to support.
The investment plan adopted last Summer provides an ambitious blueprint for the future of CCHT in Oxfordshire and a very solid base from which we can maintain our excellence, quality and distinctiveness but in a modern way. That applies regardless of local government structures. However in combination with the adoption of one council for Oxfordshire instead of six there’s even more money for that new council to allocate. So the future for our cultural sector is bright and local government has a golden chance to make it even brighter.

LORRAINE LINDSAY-GALE
Cabinet Member for Property, Cultural & Community Services, Oxfordshire County Council