Five local authority schemes have been chosen to go forward for public funding totalling £39m towards the cost of Private Finance Initiative culture and leisure projects.

The successful authorities include Croydon Council, whose plans foresee the replacement of a branch library and the provision of a music service in conjunction with a new community school, and Liverpool City Council, which has a scheme to redevelop the Central Library and archive to create a "World Discovery Centre".

Also, Rochdale MBC has plans for library/learning centres to be provided in conjunction with three new Joint Service Centres; Rotherham MBC envisages the provision of three new community swimming pools linked to school sites and South Tyneside Council has a scheme for a new community theatre and swimming pool linked to the construction of a new school.

All five now have to make an outline business case to qualify for a share of the money. Some the schemes will be jointly funded with other government departments. Details: www.culture.gov.uk