Agenda item

Bev Flanagan, Vice Principal and Stephanie Stephenson, Director of Customer Services, Wiltshire College gave an outline on the proposed changes to the Arc Theatre in Trowbridge.

Points made included:

·         Wiltshire College had to make funding cuts across the board, the college had to look at all its facilities including the Arc theatre.

·         Productions at the Arc don’t make any money.

·         The College had set up an Advisory Board that would look at and evaluate four options, with a decision expected on the 12 December 2011.

·         Wiltshire College was keen that the community were part of the Arc Theatre, and want a solution to be found that gave it a secure future.

Comments  and questions raised from the floor included:

·         The Arc is an asset to the community, and should continue to host professional performances.

·         CAYPIG representatives hoped that the Arc would continue to be a place that young people could use and enjoy.

·         The Arc has made a positive contribution to Trowbridge, it’s up to the community to use it or lose it.

·         Just because the Arc needs public funding doesn’t mean that it is failing as an arts venue.

·         Amateur dramatics has always been a feature of the Arc since it opened, with a wonderful relationship with the Arc staff, long may it continue as a venue.

·         People need to decide whether the Arc is a venue or an educational facility.

·         Where will the funds come to support the Arc for the 18 month period?

a.Arts Council funding would be sought along with donations from other charitable trusts.

The BA14 Culture Group tabled a resolution that is outlined below, this motion was put to the vote, where both Area Board members and all attendees of the meeting were given the opportunity to vote on it.

Decision

1.    The meeting thanks Wiltshire College and all other stakeholders including members of the public and volunteers, for the support given to date to provide Trowbridge and the community area with a professional theatre venue.

2.    The meeting believes it is very important the Arc is retained as a community facility characterised by: receiving professional performance; providing opportunities for high quality participation and learning and professional support and accessibility to schools and community groups.

3.    The meeting is confident that a sum in the region of £35,000 can be secured in order to support the Arc for a period of 18 months during which an organisational review can be carried out in order that a sustainable fit for purpose future can be secured. £10,000 has already been secured to this end from Trowbridge Town Council, (all funding would be dependent on a service level agreement).

4.    The meeting believes that the current staffing levels, (3FTE) is the minimum of staffing that will need to be retained during this period of review, with specialist support sought if necessary.

Note:

Cllr Graham Payne abstained from the vote.

Cllr Jeff Osborn requested that representatives of Wiltshire College meet with Cllr Stuart Wheeler, (Cabinet Member for Campus Development and Culture (including Leisure, Sport and Libraries) to discuss the Arc Theatre before making any decisions on its future.

The Wiltshire College representatives agreed that the decision would form part of its evaluation options when the Advisory Board met.