Introduction for local authority officers

The toolkit will help local authorities through planning for and embedding of the delivery of cultural and sporting resources through the overall planning process. This particularly applies to those authorities:

• experiencing and seeking to accommodate significant growth and development, or
• experiencing significant socio-economic decline and seeking to stimulate inward investment.

Each section of the toolkit provides information and guidance to help local authorities to:

• recognise opportunities to align corporate and culture and sport planning objectives and activities
• understand community needs arising from development and growth
• recognise public and private funding possibilities and opportunities
• support the development of partnerships
• influence the development of effective culture and sport policies
• secure robust evidence of provision and needs
• improve facilities and services and their response to identified needs
• learn lessons from around the English regions.

“Culture and sport is vital to the improvement of places and outcomes for people and communities. Contributing through local, regional and national partnerships, the impact of sport and culture can be seen through the success of services for children and young people, community cohesion, older people, health, regeneration and economic development”.

(I&DeA, Improving Culture and Sport, 2008)