Arts board merger 'idiotic'

The Arts Council of England was called 'misguided'

The Arts Council of England's plans to merge the country's 10 regional arts boards to create a "single funding body" has been condemned as "idiotic" by MPs.

The Arts Council announced the plan last March. It said regional arts funding offices would be maintained, though some job losses were expected.

Robert McLennan, the Liberal Democrats' Culture spokesman, called on the government to ensure their survival in the interests of the regions.

He was speaking at a debate on the future of the arts boards in Westminster Hall.

Gerry Robinson: Plan must go ahead

"The plans were sprung on the world, and politicians with no prior consultation," said McLennan.

He also accused the chairman of the Arts Council, Gerry Robinson, of mishandling the plan.

McLennan added that anger was growing around the country at the Arts Council's "unilateral attempt to remove local accountability from the arts funding system".

'Fundamental rejection'

He was supported in his comments by both Labour and Conservative MPs.

Until now the 10 Regional Arts Boards were separate organisations with their own chairman, board and staff.

Are we going to sit with the current system, no - are we going to make a system that's effective, yes

Gerry Robinson

The regional boards were due to hand over their responsibilities on 1 May, in preparation for the implementation of the project in May but eight out of 10 of the boards have failed to do so.

Andrew Dixon, CEO of Northern Arts, called it a "fundamental rejection" of the plans.

"At a time when the government is moving to having more delegation of power to the regions it seems odd that the Arts Council is promoting something which basically pulls away regional autonomy," Mr Dixon told the BBC.

He added that Northern Arts "has no intention" of handing over its assets to the Arts Council of England "at this stage".

But while Northern Arts is known to be an efficient and creative administrator of arts funds, other regional boards have not been so successful.

'Devolution of power'

Mr Robinson said the existing way of working was far too "inefficient and ineffective".

"You need a central organisation to make a case to central government for funding," he told the BBC.

Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North is an Arts Council project

The plans have the broad approval of the government.

But Arts Minister Alan Howarth said the government has asked the Arts Council to spend longer consulting on its proposals.

The Secretary of State, currently Chris Smith, will have to approve the Arts Council's final proposals.

"The devolution of power must be real and not cosmetic," said Mr Howarth.

He stressed that the government is interested in a reduction of bureaucracy and in making it simpler for clients to navigate the system.

Mr Robinson is undeterred by the opposition.

"Are we going to sit with the current system, no. Are we going to make a system that's effective, yes," he told the BBC.

"Does that mean its got to be a single system - in my view, yes."