This report warns that in some places in the UK, culture faces a crisis at Local Authority level. The picture is confused and confusing - there is no cultural system, and hence reliable evidence is difficult to come by. But that is no reason to ignore the problem of falling budgets and asset disposals. Except for libraries and listed buildings, spending on cultural services is not a statutory requirement. The current dynamics of local authority funding are limiting the ability of councils to spend their resources outside those areas where they are obliged to spend. The result is likely to be that cultural infrastructure and cultural life will be hit, in turn affecting the achievement of council priorities and diminishing the quality of life of their citizens.

http://www.demos.co.uk/files/Change_In_The_Climate.pdf