Cuts to Corn Exchange and Watermill theatre, Last day for WBC consultation Options

[DZPhoto]

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SavingsPlans2014-16Theatres

Just to advise you that today is the last day to comment on the WBC consultation of proposed 45% cut in funding to the Corn Exchange and also Watermill theatre.

Please find the short time needed to complete the survey.

For info please read this from The Corn Exchange.
http://www.cornexchangenew.com/news/articl...ed-funding-cuts

Thanks

[dannyboy]

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SavingsPlans2014-16Theatres

Just to advise you that today is the last day to comment on the WBC consultation of proposed 45% cut in funding to the Corn Exchange and also Watermill theatre.

Please find the short time needed to complete the survey.

For info please read this from The Corn Exchange.
http://www.cornexchangenew.com/news/articl...ed-funding-cuts

Thanks

Cue posts along the lines of

'never been to either. don't see why my rates should be funding art & those who like it'.

'essential services are cut, is art essential'

etc etc etc

[spartacus]

.......proposed 45% cut in funding to the Corn Exchange and also Watermill theatre.

The audience were asked to comment....

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

I am currently attending the December West Berkshire Full Council meeting where not one Tory Councillor has either spoken out or voted against these cuts.

The Tory Councillors present that includes Tory Town & Parish Members have just confirmed unanimously their support for a 10% cut to the budgets of the Town and Parish Councils that will impact negatively on the residents of West Berkshire.

Why do these 'double hatter' Tory Councillors acquiesce to the ruthless will of their masters so easily rather than voting with their conscience which would demonstrate their desire to support the residents of West Berkshire?

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Victoria Ward
Newbury Town Council

[spartacus]

Still... it's easy to throw stones from the sidelines....

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

Still... it's easy to throw stones from the sidelines....

What is easy is to remain silent rather than challenge inappropriate behaviour.

[MontyPython]

Maybe we need a new way of subsidising the arts.

Having attended a few events at the Corn Exchange I don't see why the events should be funded by Council Tax payers.

Perhaps there should be a small subsidy to cover historic buildings, but events should be self funding, with possibly a ticket subsidy for what might be classed "educational events" to those on low incomes.

Work to be done in designating what would be covered by both categories and how it would be managed (maybe via a privilege card system). What are other views on the principle?

[DZPhoto]

To Quote"
What portion of West Berkshire Council Funding goes to the Corn Exchange?
Theatres in West Berkshire currently receive just 0.35% of the council’s funding and under current proposals this is set to drop to 0.19%. The impact to the Council is minimal but would have devastating consequences for our activity and our audiences.
It costs just 5p per resident each week to fund our work and current levels of activity. We think this represents good value and we’re firmly committed to increasing the impact and benefits we can bring to the local community if funding can be maintained at broadly these levels." End Quote.

If there were no events at the Corn Exchange think of how this would also impact the local economy.
Local food & drink retailers, shops and even parking income to list a few.

[MontyPython]

To Quote"
What portion of West Berkshire Council Funding goes to the Corn Exchange?
Theatres in West Berkshire currently receive just 0.35% of the council’s funding and under current proposals this is set to drop to 0.19%. The impact to the Council is minimal but would have devastating consequences for our activity and our audiences.
It costs just 5p per resident each week to fund our work and current levels of activity. We think this represents good value and we’re firmly committed to increasing the impact and benefits we can bring to the local community if funding can be maintained at broadly these levels." End Quote.

If there were no events at the Corn Exchange think of how this would also impact the local economy.
Local food & drink retailers, shops and even parking income to list a few.

Why do you think each resident should subsidise your audience by 5p per week?

Are the events not good enough to attract a good audience? Or have you got your pricing strategy wrong?

[Andy Capp]

Anyone know what the status of the cinema 'subsidy' is?

[spartacus]

Having attended a few events at the Corn Exchange I don't see why the events should be funded by Council Tax payers.

Likewise The Watermill... (probably even more so than The Corn Exchange)
Most of the events or plays they hold there appeal to a fairly select market of theatre goers and whilst the back of fag packet maths may come up with a figure of 5p per resident in West Berks I'd hazard a guess that there are around 0.19% of those same residents that have actually attended an event there. So the proposed amount of spend to help subsidise this place (0.19%) probably accurately reflects the patronage.

[Biker1]

Are the events not good enough to attract a good audience?

They must be.
Tried to get tickets for Hugh Dennis on Jan 15th and sold out!

Or have you got your pricing strategy wrong?

Must have - see above.

[Turin Machine]

I think that both venues are an asset to the community at large and are well deserving of a subsidy, failure to support will inevitably lead to them being redeveloped into a McDonalds or a charity shop (tongue in cheek time). Seriously, who would actually vote to pull the rug from under these?

[Andy Capp]

I agree, but things like subsidies mean there's a chance that it might discourage prudence. I think a modest subsidy is OK (5p a week) if it means that the productions remain financially available to all.

[Ruwan Uduwerage-...]

I agree, but things like subsidies mean there's a chance that it might discourage prudence. I think a modest subsidy is OK (5p a week) if it means that the productions remain financially available to all.

Access to the arts should not be seen as a luxury for the well off alone, but I believe should be seen as necessary and educational for ALL.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera
Newbury Town Council - Councillor for Victoria Ward & Deputy Leader

[Andy Capp]

Access to the arts should not be seen as a luxury for the well off alone, but I believe should be seen as necessary and educational for ALL.

That is true to a point. but playing Devil's Advocate here; people shouldn't go cold and hungry to save a production of Les Misérables, if youknowwhatImean.

[On the edge]

That is true to a point. but playing Devil's Advocate here; people shouldn't go cold and hungry to save a production of Les Misérables, if youknowwhatImean.

Quite right. Indeed, this is an area where extremely good semi professional and amateur 'help' could be properly exploited. Would take some imaginative and innovative management, but it would work. There are some good models in US and NZ.

[MontyPython]

Access to the arts should not be seen as a luxury for the well off alone, but I believe should be seen as necessary and educational for ALL.

But is the subsidy having the desired effect of opening up the arts to all, or is it just the well off or reasonably well off who are attending?

[Biker1]

But is the subsidy having the desired effect of opening up the arts to all, or is it just the well off or reasonably well off who are attending?

Well tickets for Punt & Dennis (Jan 15th) that I spoke of earlier started at £22.50!

[Exhausted]

Well tickets for Punt & Dennis (Jan 15th) that I spoke of earlier started at £22.50!

Tickets for the upcoming pantomime are decidedly pricey as well. Jack and the Beanstalk