Bristol City Council defends cultural venue funding cuts

The Bristol Old Vic theatre is among the organisations recommended for council funding cuts

Bristol's two deputy mayors have defended a decision to scrap funding for cultural venues.

The city council will pay £1.4m in grants over the next few years to some venues, but others will no longer receive funding from April.

The Watershed Cinema, Bristol Old Vic and the Exchange music venue are amongst the venues losing out.

Councillor Asher Craig said the situation "will only get worse" as budgets get tighter.

Organisations which will continue to be given funding include the Trinity Centre, Bristol Pride and Tobacco Factory Theatres.

Members of the Equity trade union criticised the funding decision for the cultural investment programme during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

'We're not alone'

The cultural investment programme has faced cuts of at least 40% over the past five years, with fewer grants available for venues.

Equity member Kim Hicks said: "Thousands of creative people see all their opportunities to work closing, as crucial council funding isn't just reduced, but completely disappears.

"The cabinet must rethink this approach before the damage to the cultural sector in Bristol becomes irreparable, as it already has for many groups and individuals."

The Watershed cinema and media centre will no longer receive funding

Councillor Asher Craig, deputy mayor for children's services, education and equalities, said: "It is disappointing to see some organisations criticise the very well considered recommendations made based on applications submitted.

"As the budget crisis continues to worsen and the government continues to punish local authorities, this situation will only get worse."

Councillor Craig Cheney, deputy mayor for finance, replied: "There's a £20m overspend the council has, and that's based on children social care, adult social care and temporary accommodation.

"We're not alone. Nottingham City Council has just declared bankruptcy, Birmingham City Council has already done, I know of a few other core cities that are struggling at the moment."

Cllr Cheney added: "We are fighting for some of the most vulnerable people in the city, we are making sure all the bins get collected, all the lights are still lit, all the potholes are fixed, and all the green initiatives.

"Some of it is about making the least worst option sometimes."

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