English Regional Agencies for museums, archives and libraries will receive £8.5 million for 2003/04 under a funding agreement with Resource. The funding aims to assist with the development of Regional Agencies in each of the nine English regions. Core functions of the Agencies will include advising other organisations and regional bodies on matters relating to museums, archives and libraries and working with other regional partnerships, to ensure a contribution from the sector to social and economic policies. Support for ICT development and funding initiatives, and the continued collaboration with Resource, to ensure the sector is connected to national policies and opportunities, are also Regional Agency functions. Resource’s outgoing Chief Executive, Anna Southall, said that Regional Agencies provided leadership and advice for museums, archives and libraries and were a powerful advocate for the sector. ‘Setting up and co-ordinating nine independent organisations in this way is an ambitious agenda for Resource,’ she said. ‘We are delighted that almost all the Regional Agencies are now up and running.’ Eight Regional Agencies are now constituted and operational. Work towards the establishment of a Regional Agency for London is still in progress.