Questioning the Minister for Business and Budget in the Senedd this afternoon William Graham AM urged the creation of shared services for arts funding in South Wales East:
‘With the tighter spending environment now upon us it is essential that the emphasis the Welsh Assembly Government has placed on collaboration comes to fruition’.
The Conservative AM for South Wales East continued:
‘I have received a considerable amount of correspondence expressing dismay at the Arts Council for Wales’ decision to reduce the combined revenue of six leading Gwent art groups and venues by over £465,00 by next April. The creation of shared service for arts funding in South Wales East could reduce the impact of the recent decision by the Arts Council of Wales to cease supporting a number of the region’s flagship arts venues and performers including Borough Theatre in Abergavenny and Gwent Theatre.’
‘I was pleased that the Minister welcomed the proposal and hope to see progress on the issue soon. Theatre and performing arts should not be allowed to whither on the vine in Gwent.’
