Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

WMC loan pay-off should be matched by investment elsewhere in Wales says AM

November 8, 2007 12:00 AM
Peter Black at the Eisteddfod

Peter Black at the Eisteddfod

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Communities, Culture, Housing and Social Justice, Peter Black, has called on the Assembly's Heritage Minister to match his action of paying off a £13.5m debt held by the Wales Millennium Centre with a comparable investment in the arts and sports elsewhere in Wales.

Speaking in the Assembly during the Minister's statement, Mr. Black welcomed the principle that any additional revenue for the Wales Millennium Centre would be matched by a similar amount put into arts organisations outside Cardiff. As a result an extra £2.5million has been made available for those bodies. However, this principle was not applied to the £13.5 million loan that the Assembly Government has now paid off on behalf of the WMC from budget underspends

"In the Communities and Culture Committee on Wednesday both the Arts Council of Wales and the Sports Council for Wales told members that cuts in lottery funding has meant that they have had to abandon much of their capital funding," said Mr. Black. "This money would have been given as grants to community bodies. Although both Councils are now receiving more money from the Welsh Government, that cash is not enough to cover the shortfall."

"The Minister has been able to find the £13.5 million needed to write off the capital debt of the Wales Millennium Centre from underspends, thus demonstrating what is possible. He should now extend the principle of match-funding and find a similar capital sum to be spent elsewhere in Wales, outside of the Capital City."

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    southwaleslibdems.org.uk/en/article/2007/115906/wmc-loan-pay-off-should-be-matched-by-investment-elsewhere-in-wales-says-am
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    southwaleslibdems.org.uk/a651q

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image

    Print this page

  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join the Liberal Democrats

  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you agree, Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Contact us by email, post, or phone