Arts centre hopes get a boost
Thursday, 1st February 2001.
HOPES that cuts planned for the Haverhiil Arts Centre may be avoided and that the town council takes over its managment have been boosted this week.
MP Richard Spring said he was "optimistic" that a solution could be found after a meeting with Steve Palframan, director of Leisure Services for St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
Mr Spring also spoke to town and borough councillor Gerry Kiernan about the centre, and Coun Kiernan said he was very hopeful that agreement could be reached before next month's Leisure Services committee meeting.
Despite a stormy public meeting at the centre and a petition with more than 1,000 signatures, members of the borough council's Leisure Services committee agreed a greatly reduced budget for the centre.
However, they did agree to keep talking to Haverhill Town Council about a possible take-over.
Mr Spring said he had been contacted by a number of residents and was keen to try to help bridge the gap between the town and borough council.
"Haverhill needs its Arts Centre, it is a growing town. It would tear the heart out of the town if it went.
"I know the financial situation at St Edmundsbury is dire, they have less money than they had in 1994, but I hope agreement can be reached and would happily support any bid for top-up funding." Mr Spring said.
Coun Kiernan said the budget position of St Edmundsbury was a problem, but he believed they were getting closer to reaching an agreement.
He said: "It seems clear now that the borough council does want us to take it over and it would guarantee them a cap on spending, whereas if their current plan does not work they would have to spend more."
MP Richard Spring said he was "optimistic" that a solution could be found after a meeting with Steve Palframan, director of Leisure Services for St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
Mr Spring also spoke to town and borough councillor Gerry Kiernan about the centre, and Coun Kiernan said he was very hopeful that agreement could be reached before next month's Leisure Services committee meeting.
Despite a stormy public meeting at the centre and a petition with more than 1,000 signatures, members of the borough council's Leisure Services committee agreed a greatly reduced budget for the centre.
However, they did agree to keep talking to Haverhill Town Council about a possible take-over.
Mr Spring said he had been contacted by a number of residents and was keen to try to help bridge the gap between the town and borough council.
"Haverhill needs its Arts Centre, it is a growing town. It would tear the heart out of the town if it went.
"I know the financial situation at St Edmundsbury is dire, they have less money than they had in 1994, but I hope agreement can be reached and would happily support any bid for top-up funding." Mr Spring said.
Coun Kiernan said the budget position of St Edmundsbury was a problem, but he believed they were getting closer to reaching an agreement.
He said: "It seems clear now that the borough council does want us to take it over and it would guarantee them a cap on spending, whereas if their current plan does not work they would have to spend more."
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