MPs criticise ‘lack of strategy’ in ACE funding decisions

Several MPs called for an investigation into the funding decisions Arts Council England (ACE) made for its next National Portfolio in a parliamentary debate held today (18 January).

The cross-party group of MPs also called for the funder to implement artform specific strategies, after concerns were raised that the funding decisions it took lacked transparency and accountability.

The debate was tabled by Conservative MP Bob Neill, who said some institutions outside of London lost funding “for no apparent reason”.

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“It’s the lack of any apparent evidence base for these decisions, it’s the lack of any transparent and proper process for the those decisions being made, it’s the lack of any proper consultation or impact assessment,” Neill said.

“Having seen Freedom of Information [request responses], which rather perfunctory have been provided to individuals by the Arts Council, it does appear no full impact assessments were made in relation to individual changes even though some would close down institutions,” he added.

“Something has gone badly wrong in this funding round…we need to do something before serious and lasting harm is done to critical parts of our cultural and artistic heritage”.

MPs criticised a number of decisions made as part of ACE's National Portfolio announcement, including funding cuts to Glyndebourne, which has led to the opera house cancelling its tour, and cuts to Welsh National Opera, which MPs said were made without prior consultation with Arts Council Wales.

Conservative MP Laura Farris said that when enquiring with ACE why Newbury-based Watermill Theatre received a 100% funding cut, “eliciting the final decision was like getting blood out of a stone”.

“ACE didn’t really substantiate their decision with reasons and were reluctant to produce written reasons when invited to do so. I had to remind them they are a public body that are susceptible to judicial review.”

APPG Chair for Classical Musical, Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles South Barbara Keeley, called for an “internal assessment behind the funding round so this chaotic round is never repeated”.

“It’s vital we now have a transparent and equitable process,” she added.

Nobody from ACE was present for the debate. DCMS Minister Stuart Andrew said if ACE were found to breach any terms set by the government, or were found to be acting unlawfully, “[DCMS] would take steps to review the matter and determine the appropriate action”.

“I believe the arms-length principle is right, but no organisation should avoid scrutiny. A number of points have been raised today, so I will ensure I raise these with the arts minister,” Andrew added.

ENO agreement welcomed

Several MPs welcomed the news ACE agreed a funding extension with English National Opera (ENO) earlier this week.

Neill, who is the APPG Chair for Opera, thanked the ENO for engaging in these negotiations: “Had ENO rolled off, they’d have been issuing redundancies at The Coliseum this week,” he said.

“600 professional people would have been out of a job thanks to the Arts Council’s incompetence and that is not way to run an organisation. And the Arts Council should be ashamed about the way they went about it.”

O’Neill, Keeley, Labour MP Rachael Hopkins and Conservative MP Damien Collins are among those who called for ACE to extend its funding arrangements with ENO further.

DCMS Minister Andrew said the deparment is “delighted” to hear about the agreement.

He added both parties have agreed to negotiate a plan for another two years of funding by the end of March.