APPENDIX 30
Memorandum submitted by Association of
North East Councils
CONSIDERATION OF ARTS DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
The Association of North East Councils and the
North East Assembly welcome the opportunity to contribute written
evidence to the Committee's hearing on the Arts Council's proposals
for reforming itself. We have strong views on this issue, which
we have made known to the Arts Council and also to the Secretary
of State.
You will see from the enclosed that we have
some fundamental concerns about the principles on which the changes
currently proposed by the Arts Council are based. We consider
that the single organisation model, with "regional outposts",
does not sit well either with the hitherto successful functioning
of the regional arts board in the North East, Northern Arts, nor
with the broader devolution agenda. There is a real concern that,
amongst other things, under the proposed new arrangements, the
regional arts boards will always be looking to the centre rather
than to the region, because that is where their funding and powers
will come from. We urge reconsideration of the proposals, particularly
in the light of the forthcoming regional government white paper.
I hope you find the attached comments useful,
and if you require any further information please do not hesitate
to contact me.
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