Hardly a week goes by without news of further cuts – to hours, staff and facilities – for the nation’s parks, libraries, museums, theatres and other civic treasures. The cuts are made by local government hands but the fingers point to Whitehall austerity.

A recently-published toolkit I wrote shows how, in the U.S., volunteers, friends groups, social enterprises, businesses and unions can all play a part in helping to sustain such assets. Indeed, even if public funds were plentiful, having these partners augurs well for their quality and good governance. But local government still plays a key role aided by having more powers than in the UK.

The U.S. has not been immune to cuts and spending freezes but the menu of city and State tax mechanisms used to fund assets is extensive. So whether you are a ‘tax and spend liberal’ or a paid-up Tea Party member, the choice is there.