‘WE NEED to see a business plan from the Artrix Holding Trust first’ – those were the words of Bromsgrove District Council leader Coun Karen May at Wednesday’s meeting.
The arts centre’s future was being discussed after the Lib Dems put forward a motion in its alternative budget proposing to generate a £92,000 annual subsidy for Artrix.
The motion – to raise the precept by 2.99 per cent – one per cent higher than the Conservatives’ budget – was rejected.
Bromsgrove Lib Dem leader Coun Rob Hunter claimed the Artrix had never been run successfully without a council subsidy and adding a provision in the 23/24 budget was ‘the only way to secure the centre’s future’.
Coun Hunter said if the money wasn’t needed to sustain the Artrix, it could be used for other purposes, such as the Independents rejected alternative budget suggestion to invest it into youth services across the district.
Coun May said the council cared deeply about Artrix, adding it was clear it would need help financially, but how much, where and if the cash would be obtainable was not yet clear.
“If Artrix Holding Trust come forward with a recommendation and business plan it could be brought to council at any time as a proposal, we don’t have to wait for the budget.”
Coun Harrison Rone-Clarke said he supported the sentiment to get the Artrix up and running again.
However, he didn’t support the Lib Dem’s proposals as Labours alternative budget – which was also voted down- proposed a council tax freeze to ‘give residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis a break’ and didn’t feel like residents could afford a higher council tax increase.
The Artrix Holiding Trust – responsible for the building – are due to meet tonight to discuss the next steps for the centre.
