Guernsey Press

Axing grants shows ignorance of what makes island tick

RE: The axing of the grants to the Arts and Sports Commissions. I have taken a more considered approach to the matter now my anger has somewhat abated. I am not in a position to be able to comment on the functions of the Sports Commission but as regards the Arts I believe that I am eminently qualified to do so.

Published

For several years I sat on the now defunct States Arts Committee, the main function of which was the allocation of grants. As I recall the budget was about the same as it was last year. I can claim to be the prime mover in the change of policy from simply providing grants to, where possible, underwriting events up to a maximum amount based on projected costings. The policy proved to have many benefits including extending the committee’s funding abilities as in many cases, nearly all in fact, the underwriting was not fully required and occasionally not called upon at all, but most importantly it gave organisations, and occasionally individuals, the confidence to put on events, especially of an innovative nature, particularly if individuals stood to possibly be personally out of pocket, the Vale Earth Fair being a case in point.

I don’t know whether that policy is still being pursued, it certainly should be, but in any event the axing of the grant will have a devastating impact on the island’s cultural life; the withdrawal of financial support for the St James Youth Promotional Trust, for example, in my opinion verges on the criminal.

The thing that fills me with equal dismay is how appallingly ignorant the Committee for Economic Development appears to be of what goes on in the island and makes it tick. Ask any new residents what had attracted them to the island and they will tell you that apart from its physical features it is its vibrant cultural and sporting scenes and if they have young children, the standard of education, especially the amazing Schools Music Service. Economic Development my foot, or rather their foot, in which, in my opinion, they have spectacularly shot themselves.

RODNEY COLLENETTE,

Address withheld.