The number of local authorities prioritising culture targets lags well behind those supporting sports, according to an updated report from the DCMS and the Local Government Association. ‘A passion for excellence: one year on’ revisits the 2008 report ‘A passion for excellence: an improvement strategy for culture and sport’ (AP166), which aimed to work with local partners to “improve the quality of life locally and improve the delivery of cultural and sport services”. Changes introduced since last year include the creation of Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships, which aim to achieve better outcomes for residents and better value for money. The DCMS’s Non-Departmental Government Bodies, including Arts Council England and Sport England, are now obliged to work with each other on culture and sport. Comprehensive Area Assessments will be introduced in April to provide “an independent assessment of how well local services are working together to improve the quality of life”. Local Area Agreements, which have been agreed in all 150 upper-tier local authorities, will continue to include national performance indicators (NIs) directly relating to culture and sport. However, only 1% of councils have adopted the Improvement Target under NI10 ‘Visits to museums and galleries,’ and only 16% under NI11 ‘Engagement in the arts’, compared with 53% adopting NI8, ‘Adult participation in sport and active recreation’.