The appointment of arts officers by local authorities has been one of the most important measures to be taken in the context of the development of arts in local communities in recent years. Local authorities that appointed arts officers quickly, drew up arts plans and started to develop arts in the community are to be applauded. I assume that every local authority has an arts officer at this point. I certainly hope that is the case. The development of schemes funded from the arts budget, such as musicians and writers in the community, has helped to promote artists and has been a hugely enriching experience for local communities.