CORNWALL Council’s commitment to supporting the Duchy’s cultural and creative industries has been held up as an example of good practice by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Creative Industries Federation. 

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has published a guide which offers advice to local authorities on the importance of supporting their local creative industries.   

The guide features Cornwall Council’s funding for Creative Kernow’s Cultivator 2 programme as a case study.  The Council’s investment and collaborative approach unlocked £1.4 million of European Social Fund money, £2.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund, £500,000 from Arts Council England and £180,000 of other funding.  The scheme provides support to around 300 businesses a year with help such as grants, coaching and mentoring, a graduate start up programme and the direct creation of over 40 jobs.  

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning Tim Dwelly said: ’We recognise the huge contribution that the creative industries make to Cornwall’s economy.

’Our creative sector is a huge cultural and economic asset that before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, was growing at twice the rate of the UK economy.’