IN THIS age of austerity nearly half a million pounds is being spent on a project to “change people’s perception of Haverfordwest” according to the project’s organisers.
Over £400,000 has been provided by the Arts Council for Wales, with a top up of £45,000 from Pembrokeshire County Council. (Western Telegraph, June 3 “Arts Project is defended.”) But only last month, the leader of Pembrokeshire County Council Jamie Adams gave the stark warning that “Every damn county council service is at risk of cuts.”
Yet the council has been able to prise open its purse to find £45,000 from its limited budget to help fund Confluence, the coalition running the scheme.
A Confluence’s spokesperson is quoted as saying the arts are uniquely placed to contribute to overcoming isolation, building community and make a major contribution to people’s sense of health and well-being.
The community centre at the hub of my ward here in Hubberston provides all these services to my constituents, many who live in pockets of deprivation, yet its future is under threat because the county council is reluctant to spend the £18,000 a year which will keep it open until Easter 2017.
VIV STODDART
Member representing Hubberston Ward
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