THE GUARDIAN – Thu 4 Jan 2024

“Arts organisations have called on Suffolk county council (SCC) to reconsider a proposed 100% cut to its culture budget. As part of its plans to make £64.7m in savings over two years, the council announced on Wednesday that it will stop core funding of £500,000 to art and museum sector organisations from April 2025. A shared statement from local organisations affected by the decision said the cut would make an “extremely modest difference” to the council’s overall finances but have a “huge impact” on communities across the county. Emma Buckmaster, Green party prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, said it was “a shocking proposal… that will do lasting damage to the arts in Suffolk”. Full details of the council’s financial plans – which include a 4.99% increase in council tax – will be presented to its scrutiny committee on 11 January.”

Chris Wiegand, Stage editor

Read the full article in The Guardian