Arts Council England says it would welcome engagement with LEPs to explore how funding can support local economic growth.

The creative industries, which are worth £71.4 billion to the UK economy, rely on the strength of cultural infrastructure, says the council.

It has prepared a guide for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) about the support available from Arts Council England.

Many LEPs are already helping grow their local cultural and creative sector to create well paid jobs and to strengthen the long term prospects for their area, it says.

The arts council can help Local Enterprise Partnerships by identifying strategic opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors to contribute to local growth.

It can also provide advice and broker relationships with creative businesses, cultural organisations and other partners

This sector has major growth potential – expanding by almost 10% in 2012, outperforming all other economic sectors, says the arts council.

The full guide can be downloaded here.