Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation subject to approval of the business plan being no confirmation of annual revenue funding beyond 2014-15 given the uncertainties over local government and national arts funding in Wales. 

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Management presented details of the Business Plan as recommended by the Theatre Board of Governors.

            The Chief Executive explained that as part of the governance arrangements, the Board was required to submit its annual business plan to the Council’s Cabinet and the Arts Council for Wales for approval and endorsement.

            In 2012 the gross income was £5.2m, part of which was £1.052m funded by the Council.

In view of the financial future of the Council, the Chief Executive said a public debate needed to take place to determine if the Council could continue to sustain its financial contributions to the Theatre from 2015 onwards.  The issue had already been discussed at a recent Board of Governors meeting.

The Theatre was highly valued and was one of the top clients of the Arts Council for Wales and its value and importance was not underestimated.  However, it was not a statutory requirement for the Council to have a theatre and due to the pressures, any non-core programmes would be under pressure.

RESOLVED:

That the Business Plan as recommended by the Theatre Board of Governors be endorsed.