Keynsham's MP attacks plan to give £100,000 to Theatre Royal

Keynsham’s MP Dan Norris has hit out at council plans to give up to £100,000 towards the refurbishment of Bath’s Theatre Royal.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s budget plans include allocating between £50,000 and £100,000 to the project.

Mr Norris said: “They choose to spend tens of thousands of pounds on a theatre that benefits the relatively few, rather than on the many hard-pressed council tax payers right across North East Somerset and Bath.

“The arts and culture are important. But right now, given the financial challenges faced by local council tax payers, the Theatre Royal can wait. Many ordinary families would love to be able redecorate and refurbish their homes. But they know it is not prudent to do so when money is tight. Instead they concentrate on the most pressing financial concerns. Tory B&NES should take note – and remember - it’s not their money, it’s ours.

“Meanwhile local Tories are intent on axeing local youth services, and slashing vital education and social services budgets. The Conservatives want the burden of global recession to fall on young people and vulnerable adults because they are the easiest targets. They may be less vocal than theatre-goers - but they are more important. The most vulnerable must come before non-essential entertainment for the relatively few.”

Mr Norris continued: “To mask their own shortcomings, as usual B&NES Tory councillors are pretending the Government ‘underfunds’ B&NES. It’s nonsense. This is actually the thirteenth straight year authorities are getting above-inflation increases in Government grant – up £1.5 million for B&NES this year alone.

“B&NES complain other Councils get more Government money than them, overlooking key facts. Up the road from us in Bristol, many more households are exempt from Council Tax - because of higher unemployment, for example. In relatively affluent B&NES - where house prices have held up better and unemployment remains relatively low - a much higher proportion of households pay full Council Tax. This provides B&NES with very significant funds, direct from our pockets, they chose not to mention.”

 

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