CULTURAL organisations in South Lakeland are set to get a major funding boost from the district council.

Funding for the next two years has been agreed for South Lakeland District Council's Strategic Cultural Partners (SCPs).

South Lakeland District Council's Cabinet approved a total of £374,300 continued revenue funding over a two-year period for 12 organisations which contribute ‘significantly’ to the area's culture offer, ensuring stability through the transition phase of local government reorganisation.

The annual amounts agreed were £67,500 for Kendal Brewery Arts Centre, £27,500 for Lakeland Arts, £17,500 for Wordsworth Trust, £12,500 for Grizedale Arts, £10,000 for Kendal Mountain Festival, £10,000 for Lakes Arts Festivals (delivering Lakes International Comic Arts Festival), £5,000 for the Ruskin Museum in Coniston,  £5,000 for the Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness, £4,500  for Kendal Torchlight, £13,050 for Lake District Summer Music (LDSM), £9,500 for Ulverston Community Enterprises (UCE)  and £5,100 for Highlights Rural Touring.

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, portfolio holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: "Since its inception in 2012, our Strategic Cultural Partnership approach to funding culture has contributed immeasurably to the quality of life of South Lakeland residents, strengthened and enhanced the world-class cultural offer in the district, boosted economic prosperity and levered in additional economic and cultural investment.

"South Lakeland District Council recognises the value of public investment in culture and its value in supporting the wider ambition and delivery of economic, cultural, social and environmental priorities of the council which has helped to promote South Lakeland as a great place to live work and do business and as a leading rural cultural destination.

"I applaud the contribution our partners make to the district and am delighted that SLDC has been able to provide this two-year investment."

LDSM, Ulverston Community Enterprises and Highlights are designated hub organisations and their grants support partnership working with smaller groups.

UCE acts as a hub for Ulverston International Music Festival, Printfest, South Cumbria Music Festival and Ulverston Lantern Festival; LDSM acts as a hub for classical music organisations Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society, Westmorland Orchestra, Westmorland Youth Orchestra and Westmorland Music Trust; and Highlights Rural Touring acts as a hub organisation for the Heron Theatre Beetham.

Cabinet members were told that there would be potential and opportunity for the new Westmorland and Furness Council, which comes into being in April 2023, to review the current portfolio of SCP organisations and investment within the first year of its operation.