APPENDIX 24
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Arts Council of England
Thank you for giving the Arts Council of England
the opportunity to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport
committee a few weeks back.
I thought it would be timely to give you an
update on developments since then.
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE
COMPANY
The Arts Council is currently evaluating the
feasibility study submitted to us in December 2001. The RSC have
said that they would welcome feedback from us prior to their submission
of an application for funding for the next stage of design and
development. We are currently on target to give this feedback
in March.
SOUTH BANK
CENTRE
As I am sure you are aware, since we met the
committee Elliott Bernerd has tendered his resignation as Chairman
of the South Bank Board. Elliott should be thanked for playing
a central role in the creation of the Mather Masterplan which
we hope will now come to fruition. I am sure your committee would
join us in sending our best wishes to Elliott.
As regards the redevelopment, things have moved
on since the committee hearing. The South Bank has submitted an
application to the Arts Council for a modest level of interim
funding in order that they can further develop the Masterplan
proposals. A decision on this application will be made in March.
CREATING A
NEW ARTS
FUNDING SYSTEM
FOR ENGLAND
The process of creating a new single arts funding
organisation for England is moving ahead positively. Since the
Committee hearing our Transfer Proposal has been considered by
most Regional Arts Boards. That proposal asks for in principle
agreement to transfer staff, assets and liabilities to the Arts
Council of England in order to create the new organisation. I
am pleased to be able to tell you that as of today (1 February),
nine of the 10 RABs have agreed in principle to the transfer.
Several have raised some issues of detail, but I am confident
that all such issues can be addressed.
Only one RAB, East England Arts, has yet to
meet and will do so on Wednesday 6 February. East England Arts
have been supportive of our plans and I am hopeful that the East
England Arts Board will confirm their agreement to the transfer.
We will then be able to get on with the job of creating the new
organisation and delivering the benefits of a single organisation
to all artists working at all levels in all parts of the country.
| 
