Speaking in questions to the Assembly Heritage Minister in the Senedd this week, William Graham AM urged the Assembly Government to do more to assist organisation such as Urban Circle in Newport which have seen their Lottery funding end find other sustainable sources of financial support:
‘I have been contacted by a number of young people from the constituency who have expressed their dismay at the closure of Urban Circle. Projects such as Newport City Radio, Fashion Wales and other schemes supporting contemporary dance and music offered opportunities for young people to engage in creative activities with the scheme costing £2,500 each month to maintain the facility.’
The Conservative AM for South Wales East added:
‘I pay tribute to the volunteers who have co-ordinated and supported the scheme, and it is clear that more guidance must be offered to successful arts organisations which lose support from the Big Lottery Fund. I was disappointed by the Minister’s reply which simply urged Urban Circle to contact the Arts Council of Wales, and retain the belief that arts organisations which are shown to have significant support from their local community must be offered greater help by the Assembly Government in their effort to become self-supporting enterprises or to access available sources of funds.’
