Council rejects theatre' s £5,000 a year funding request

Newtown Town Council has turned down a proposed £5,000 a year partnership with Hafren Theatre, amid concerns about setting a precedent for other funding requests.

Councillors have encouraged the theatre to apply to the council’s Community Fund instead.

Hafren had sought an annual contribution of at least £5,000 towards its community programme, which includes activities for older people, young children and people living with health conditions.

MyNewtown previously reported that the theatre, part of NPTC Group of Colleges, faced continuing financial pressures after losing its Arts Council of Wales revenue funding in 2023.

The decision was taken at the council’s September meeting and recorded in papers published for its October meeting.

Councillors acknowledged the benefits Hafren brings to the community. However, the meeting record says concerns included “setting an unsustainable precedent relating to potential requests from other organisations in the town”.

The council said: “The Town Council does not wish to enter into the proposed partnership agreement with Hafren Theatre but encourages the organisation to seek financial support through the Community Fund.”

The proposed funding would have helped support activities including Art for Older People, Music for Babies and Toddlers, Singing for Lung Health and Yoga for People Living with Cancer.

Hafren’s proposal said its older people’s art sessions cost more than £15,000 a year to provide. Keeping the participant charge at £5 a week meant income covered less than half the cost.

In return for the annual contribution, the theatre proposed acknowledging the council’s support and providing updates twice a year on activities, participation and feedback.

Cllr Jack Griffin Lewis was the only councillor to vote against the resolution rejecting the partnership.

Mayor Margaret Lewington and councillors Richard White, Richard Taylor, Lee Menzel, Pete Lewington, Daniel Spilsbury, Tony Owen and Darryl Gwilt supported it.

Cllr David Selby declared a personal and prejudicial interest as a volunteer at the theatre.