Lord Carnarvon brands arts cuts 'short-sighted'

LORD Carnarvon is leading the criticism of West Berkshire Council’s proposals to cut £170,000 from the Corn Exchange’s funding over the next two years, brandishing the plans ‘short-sighted’.
Last week its director, Katy Griffiths, warned that the size of the proposed cuts, which are part of the council’s plan to slash £3m from frontline services, could have ‘far reaching consequences’ for the venue.
Now, in feedback given to West Berkshire Council, Lord Carnarvon, who is chairman of the trustees at the theatre, echoed those thoughts.
He said: “I am very concerned at the proposed level of cuts to the assistance from West Berkshire Council to the Corn Exchange theatre and Arts Centre in Newbury.
“The Corn Exchange has been very successful in delivering a high quality arts programme of music, dance, theatre and film over the last five years and has increased audiences whilst keeping within budgets.
“It will be very difficult to maintain the same level of service to the arts locally if a cut of 45 per cent is imposed on the Corn Exchange.
“I think that West Berkshire Council should think again before adopting this policy which is short-sighted and looks like just the easy pickings of a low hanging fruit and realise that threatening the future of a great local resource much loved by many people would make us all the poorer in the end.
“It will affect all who are interested in the arts in West Berkshire, including people in North Hampshire who live near Newbury.”
The proposed cut to the Corn Exchange’s funding is part of the council’s wider programme to save £11m over the next two years to combat a reduction in central government funding.
The Watermill Theatre could also see its funding slashed by £10,000, while the Tourism Information Centre in Newbury could face closure as the council looks to withdraw its entire £60,000 funding.
A total of £165,000 could be taken away from the road maintenance budget of £942,000, while the road safety budget would also be cut.
The council is also considering charging to use its public toilets in Newbury, introducing weekday parking charges on a Sunday, reducing opening hours at seven libraries across the district and withdrawing all funding for school crossing patrols.
The public has until December 13 to give their feedack to the council by registering their details on the consultation finder page www.engagespace.co.uk/westberks/ and filling in the relevant form.