Civic bosses demand arts centre reprieve (From Daily Echo)
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Civic bosses demand arts centre reprieve
10:21am Wednesday 14th November 2007 in News
WINCHESTER civic chiefs are applying pressure against county bosses over the future of the threatened Tower Arts Centre.
The city council is calling on the county to delay its controversial disposal of the centre to Kings' School.
Hampshire is proposing to hand the centre to the secondary school next April, ending the Tower's highly-regarded evening programme and threatening popular community events.
A public event at the Guildhall on November 1 attracted some 450 people, the highest attendance at a protest meeting in the city in years.
Today the city council cabinet is considering a report in response to a petition by campaigners.
The report by Steve Tilbury, corporate director (operations), "recommends that a substantial delay should indeed be sought so that a properly considered solution (can be) agreed."
Mr Tilbury highlights the fact that Kings has not produced a business plan as to how it will use the building.
"In the absence of clarity over the school's plans, it is suggested that the county be asked to defer any final decision on the future of the Tower whilst a balanced and sensible plan for future funding and programming be developed, which may involve the school, university and the two councils."
Campaigners have argued that two other arts centres - in Aldershot and New Milton - have been given three years to find alternative funding.
The county argues that cuts are needed in its arts budget to help pay for the growing cost of adult social care.
