NEW life could be breathed into Abergavenny's Borough Theatre after a vote by cabinet members to transfer its management to a charitable trust.

Extra funding and jobs could be brought in if the idea is passed and in two years it could be a separate company with charitable status.

Cabinet number for community learning, leisure and culture, councillor Liz Hacket Pain said preparation and consultation work has been on-going for two years, with positive feedback form groups who use the theatre and those who work or volunteer there.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) would continue to fund the theatre with an annual grant, the theatre will then be able to access extra funding that was previously unavailable, and it will also be able to keep any profits it makes.

The move is expected to create extra jobs once the trust is in place and give the theatre more control over how it's run.

Councillor Hacket Pain told the meeting at County Hall last week, "The Borough Theatre is the pillar of our community and held in high esteem by people in the town and throughout the community. It has had a reputation for great success and I doubt if there is anybody sat here today who has not had a good night out there. The shows they have are quite spectacular, from ballet to the popular Elvis impersonator.

"That great success is through good management of the team, volunteers and people who use the theatre. We have thought ' how can we secure the services of the theatre for the people of Abergavenny so that it's always a success and provides good services?' In 2004 the Charity Commission made a decision to allow charities to deliver public services."

The Borough Theatre operates as a partnership between Monmouthshire County Council. Councillor Hacket Pain said the idea has "great advantages "providing a better service and improve the financial security for the theatre, "there are also tax savings and VAT thresholds."

The council have completed a feasibility study to gather their findings, "We all know that as the years go on the settlement for Monmouthshire is quite diar and it is not going to increase."

Councillor Hacket Pain went to Swindon to visit a theatre that had become a trust, "It was extremely interesting to see what they did and their words of wisdom were extremely enlightening. The services had become far better after they were a trust - obviously there were a few stumbling blocks."

During the study everyone was consulted on the idea and asked for their views, "Everyone involved in the theatre was asked about it and because they have been so positive about becoming a trust I am here to ask about what we are going to do next. If the management or volunteers said to us not to consider it we would have stopped.

"The reaction has been positive so we are going to continue looking into the process and if there is any point where it looks as if it is not going to work we will stop."

Leader of MCC, councillor Peter Fox said he welcomed the report, "It's really pleasing to hear that the future of the theatre will be preserved for many generations to come hopefully if it goes through."

"I certainly welcome this report and I have spent many an enjoyable evening at the theatre, I could not want to be part of any decision that would be detrimental to it. We need financial stability, it is important to ring fence finances away from MCC when we have an uncertain future," said cabinet member for regeneration, councillor Bob Greenland.

Nick Banwell, manager of the Borough Theatre, said he is delighted with the news, "This is really good news. The success we have achieved, both in terms of the high level of use by local community organisations and attendances at professional events, clearly indicates our readiness to make the most of this truly exciting opportunity.

"This means that we will be able to look after our own interests and broaden funding opportunities. It will breathe new life into the theatre and give it a real chance to take off.

"We look forward to developing whilst still retaining a great relationship with MCC and with the community."

The next step is to consult with Abergavenny Town Council, the Market and the One Stop Shop.