The country's largest performing arts and entertainment union has called on Bristol City Council to scrap plans that would cut hundreds of thousands of pounds from the arts and culture budget, including the closure of a number of museums.
shareholder wrote on The city council has warned that the cuts will cause significant damage to jobs and cultural activities in Bristol, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. movie city.
The city's finance subcommittee will meet this week to consider proposals to cut savings and funding across the board.
Last week, the council leader, Green Party councilor Tony Dyer, warned that Bristol faced bankruptcy if it did not close a £52 million funding gap over the next five years.
Among the cuts being considered by the council are:
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reduction and closure of cultural investment program (CIP) intends to seek alternative funding to save £635,000 between now and 2027.
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closure of Blaze Museuman 18th-century mansion highlighting the society's history with a doll's house, display of toys, costumes and household items, will save £39,000 by 2027.
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closure of Georgian House Museumshowcase an 18th century townhouse in period style and save £29,000 by 2027.
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closure of Red Lodge MuseumSave £64,000 by 2027 on a historic Elizabethan mansion.
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Shortened business hours bristol archive Find a room that could save you £35,000 by 2027.
Equity said in a statement that the proposal to close CIP was particularly concerning because it had been a “stable source of funding for arts and cultural activities, festivals and partnerships.”
“The council has said it will seek alternative funding, but no details have been provided. This means individuals and organizations seeking arts funding will no longer have local government funding options.” the union said.
Equity submitted a questionnaire and statement to council for consideration at this week's meeting. The council of all members will meet on February 25th to make a final decision.
Describing the dire situation facing Bristol City Council last week, Mr Dyer said: 'Across the country, councils of all shapes and sizes are facing insolvency. This is driven by rising poverty rates, lack of government funding, failure to reform national health and care systems, a nationwide housing crisis, and an increased need for critical protection services for vulnerable children and adults.
“Bristol is no exception and will face bankruptcy if we fail to close a £52 million funding gap over the next five years. This needs to start now, as other local authorities have already decided many years ago. We are still playing catch-up in some areas because we are facing this only now.
“There is no question that it means difficult choices, more taxes and fees, and we recognize that the money we raise doesn’t go as far as it used to. We, like local taxpayers, We don't want that, but it's a reality we have to deal with.”
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Linda Luke, a Bristol-based managing director at Equity, said: “These job cuts would be a disaster for Bristol and would cause significant damage to the local economy. Bristol is known as a city of culture and is a major contributor to creative industries. There are thousands of jobs based here and people move and visit here for the unique culture.
“Local government funding is more valuable than any other source of funding, including arts councils, and once it is lost it will not appear from any other source, no matter how much the council wants it to.
“We are calling on Bristol City Council to reverse plans to cut funding for culture. Cutting culture has negative economic and social consequences, and we are calling on Bristol City Council to cut off its nose to disfigure Ms Bristol. It will be.”
Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment.
