Proposed Bournemouth Council arts cuts ‘catastrophic’

Cuts proposed by a Dorset council could have a “catastrophic” impact on arts and culture in the area.

As part of its 2023/24 budget, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) has made three key proposals that will hit funding of the arts.

These include a ‘phased reduction in cultural grants’ over five years and the removal of the council’s ‘arts development functions’.

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The plans also propose the scrapping of Festival Coast Live!, a six-week summer initiative that ‘brings together all that is best about events, festivals and outdoor performances’ in the area.

Under the proposals, council cultural grants to organisations will be reduced by 10% annually, beginning in July.

Arts organisations in the South West that would be impacted by the cuts include Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Pavilion Dance South West, Activate Performing Arts and the Lighthouse arts venue in Poole.

The Lighthouse is also home to the BSO.

Reduction in cultural activity

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposals acknowledges that the cuts will mean “organisations would have to reduce their cultural activity”.

The EIA highlights that “the expensive outreach, learning and participation work, which is key to what makes them socially beneficial organisations” is likely to be hard hit by the decrease in funding.

It adds that protected groups would be “hardest hit and more marginalised by reductions in grants”.

The impact of the cuts on the wider arts economy and ecosystem “could result in the closure of small businesses supporting the creative sector”.

It continues: “This may have significant impact on the Lighthouse and its ability to continue running.

“This in turn would impact on the BSO and other groups that use the facilities.”

Catastrophic cuts

Local opposition councillor Andy Martin, leader of the Christchurch Independents party which is lobbying against the proposed budget, told Arts Professional: “These cuts don’t make sense at all on any level.”

“As things stand, BSO and other cultural organisations like the Lighthouse would have to take 10% cuts per year for the next five years.”

Martin continued: “As well as being a world-class orchestra with a global reputation, BSO also does some incredible things in the local community, working with children, in local hospitals and care homes.

“In my view, the impact of the proposed cuts would be pretty catastrophic for the BSO's community work.

“It would be a terrible decision to cut funding to them, but also to the Lighthouse in Poole and organisations like Pavilion Dance.”

Adams added that he was “hopeful that the administration will listen” and that alternative savings could be found.

A final meeting to debate the budget proposals will take place on 21 February.

BSO said in a statement: “Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra understands the difficult funding landscape in local government; we’re engaged in ongoing detailed discussions with BCP Council ahead of its meeting on 21 February, so don’t wish to comment further at this time.”

Savings and efficiences

When approached for comment, BCP Council directed Arts Professional to a statement on its website, adding it had no further comment to make at this stage.

In that statement, the council said significant work had already been done to make savings, resulting in “a £10.1m surplus at the end of this financial year which we will use to support our 23/24 ambitions”.

It added that there are more areas where savings can be made.

“From 1 April 2023, this combined activity will deliver £32.9m in savings and efficiencies with plans for a further £2.2m in annualised savings from 1 July 2023.”