I have been following the articles on the Trinity Centre with some interest having had peripheral involvement in the Arts in the East Midlands for many years.

I can't help but think there is only one strand of the story being addressed. The public and the councillors are viewing the Arts Council as the 'baddy' in this story. Councillor Theobold's comments on the situation clearly point to the thinking that the Arts Council are in 'the wrong'. The 'petition' raised by the public demanding that the Trinity Centre remains open seems such a fruitless activity looking at the recent deterioration of the fabric & facilities of the building and the fall in audiences. The Caretaker Manager who ran the building before the most recent Artistic Manager, who I believe has recently resigned, often mentioned she was concerned about the future of the centre because of lack of investment from the Council.

The Arts Council provides grants to 'Support' activities at the Trinity Centre not to wholly fund them, they are an award giving organisation. It was well known amongst parties who had a long standing interest in the Trinity Centre that the Arts Council for some time had been concerned about the lack of investment from the Council. I was also aware, as were many people, being informed by the previous manager that funding was at risk during 2006/2007, this was well known to all workers and people familiar with the Centre. Surprisingly the Arts Council announced increased funding for the Arts in East Midlands for 07/08 and awarded the Trinity Centre 3 years of increased funding, all of this information is publicly available on the Arts Council website.

This funding has now been withfrawn.

The Arts Council is an organisation that wants to promote the Arts and the nicer things of life, they are generally seen as a charitable organisation and a good organisation. It must have been a very difficult decision for the Arts Council to threaten withdrawal of the funding.

I have been following the articles on the Trinity Centre with some interest having had peripheral involvement in the Arts in the East Midlands for many years.

I can't help but think there is only one strand of the story being addressed. The public and the councillors are viewing the Arts Council as the 'baddy' in this story. Councillor Theobold's comments on the situation clearly point to the thinking that the Arts Council are in 'the wrong'. The 'petition' raised by the public demanding that the Trinity Centre remains open seems such a fruitless activity looking at the recent deterioration of the fabric & facilities of the building and the fall in audiences. The Caretaker Manager who ran the building before the most recent Artistic Manager, who I believe has recently resigned, often mentioned she was concerned about the future of the centre because of lack of investment from the Council.

The Arts Council provides grants to 'Support' activities at the Trinity Centre not to wholly fund them, they are an award giving organisation. It was well known amongst parties who had a long standing interest in the Trinity Centre that the Arts Council for some time had been concerned about the lack of investment from the Council. I was also aware, as were many people, being informed by the previous manager that funding was at risk during 2006/2007, this was well known to all workers and people familiar with the Centre. Surprisingly the Arts Council announced increased funding for the Arts in East Midlands for 07/08 and awarded the Trinity Centre 3 years of increased funding, all of this information is publicly available on the Arts Council website.

This funding has now been withdrawn.

The Arts Council is an organisation that wants to promote the Arts and the nicer things of life, they are generally seen as a charitable organisation and a good organisation. It must have been a very difficult decision for the Arts Council to threaten withdrawal of the funding.

The Arts Council is an organisation that wants to promote the Arts and the nicer things of life, they are generally seen as a charitable organisation and a good organisation. It must have been a very difficult decision for the Arts Council withdraw the funding. People need to be asking why? The Arts Council does not do this thing glibly !
It is well known that West Lindsey District Council does not see the Arts as important. It barely funds any Arts activities in the area, it barely supports the Riverside Festival, it didn't support 'Eye of Newt', it also didn't support Craft Works on Church Street.
There is a thriving Arts Scene in Gainsborough & surrounding area that exists without any assistance from the Council. Questions also need to be asked about why the Arts staff of the Council has such a high turn over. In recent years there has been 5 Arts Officers, several extremely well qualified yet only remained in the job for a short period of time, a renowned senior Cultural Manager was appointed and lasted only a couple of months, a very successful Youth Arts Officer has left and not been replaced.
People need to be asking questions of this current council not handing in petitions.
Why can't the £50k they have saved from handing over all those facilities to the town council be used to fund the Trinity Centre?
What are WLDC going to do with the £150,000.00 they will have spare when they no longer give it the the Trinity Centre?
Why are WLDC buying old buildings such as the Plough Public House and not investing in such community facilities as Trinity Centre?