Former trustees of Abergavenny’s embattled Borough Theatre this week rejected claims that they ‘failed’ to find the money to keep the theatre going, saying that the ‘criticism’ is ‘strongly contested’ by the trust.

In a letter to the Chronicle, from past and present trustees of the Borough Theatre Trust, former chairman, Hugh Candler said the board members contested claims made in a Monmouthshire County Council audit report which stated that the board had failed to secure the funding to run the theatre

Mr Candler said that a management agreement signed between the Trust and MCC in 2013, underlined that both parties committed to work together to secure the theatre’s financial future.

“The agreement provided funding assessed as that necessary to break even in the first year,” said Mr Candler, who added that the trust was required to build up a reserve fund of £30,000 in its first three years.

“It was envisaged that funding would start to be reduced year on year from October 1, 2016 by five per cent per annum unless the council gave a year’s notice of a larger reduction.

“At the very first opportunity, i.e. at the end of September 2015, the council gave notice of a 35 per cent cut in funding from October 1, 2016,” said Mr Candler.

“There was no prior consultation and so no attempt by the council to ascertain what funding was necessary for the theatre to retain its financial viability.

“Not surprisingly, the Trust objected to this swingeing cut which effectively treated the theatre as a ‘discretionary service’ instead of a contractual partner,” the letter continued.

Mr Candler went on to say the Trust’s concerns about the cuts ‘fell on deaf ears’ before it was hit by a ‘double-whammy’ when MCC stopped paying for the theatre’s running costs, placing the bills at the door of the Trust, in addition to giving warning of further funding cuts.

“In the early years of operation, the Trust did not see its role as obtaining alternative funding for operational activities,” said the letter, adding that “its main aim, in addition to establishing the reserved fund of £30,000 — which was achieved — was to obtain a feasibility report on much-needed refurbishment of auditorium seating, backstage facilities and a safe lighting system.”

Mr Candler said the feasibility report was stalled by MCC’s plans to develop the town hall into the Abergavenny Hub.

“The Trust took the view that businesses and sponsors preferred to invest their money in special projects or specific shows, rather than in general operating costs,” said Mr Candler.

“In our view it was not appropriate to seek commercial funding towards operating costs whilst the theatre was in such poor condition.”

The struggling theatre has faced an uncertain future since county councillors took it back under council control back in March, and gave it six months to forge a viable future.

“During 2017 the Trust decided to return to theatre to the council because we were unable to produce a viable budget for the year from October 2017...the theatre is only still operating because two trustees, one for five months and unpaid and the other for the past 12 months, took the role of theatre manager,” said Mr Candler.

Former theatre manager Nick Banwell resigned in January 2017 after 24 years at the helm of the theatre.

Rubber-stamping the take-over at a cabinet meeting, county councillors reaffirmed full ownership and control of the Borough Theatre before adding that ‘all options would be reviewed’ in search of a workable funding model to keep the doors open.

Councillors also voted to absolve in ‘absolute terms’ all Borough Theatre trustees of any outstanding repairs and maintenance liabilities for the building. which were estimated to be £119,611.

During the first three years of the trust’s management agreement the theatre received £160,000 from MCC with a further £28,000 grant from the Arts Council Wales which ‘clearly indicated’ the theatre was an regarded as an ‘important asset’.

Concluding his letter Mr Candler said trustees ‘wished the theatre well for the future’ but warned that a ‘lesson to be learnt from the trust’s ‘so called failure’ is that provincial theatres cannot survive without substantial local authority funding.’

“The model which the trust took on was flawed to the extent that it envisaged a time when there would be no local authority funding.

“It remains to be seen if the council is willing to provide the funding and commitment necessary to take the theatre forward. If they fail to do so they will have reneged on their specific duty under the Well-being of Future Generations Act to support culture in the community,” said Mr Candler.

Councillor Bob Greenland, in response to Mr Candler’s letter, said ‘progress’ was being made toward finding a viable future for the beleaguered theatre.

“In February 2018 Abergavenny Theatre returned to the ownership and control of the council.

“The Borough Theatre Trust was in full agreement with the actions taken and agreed to cease to operate and to de-register themselves on conclusion of the hand-over.

“The council also agreed to undertake a TUPE transfer the six existing Theatre employees. In making the decision, the council agreed to review all operations of Abergavenny Theatre over a six month period and to bring forward an options appraisal as a subsequent report to cabinet for the medium term future of the theatre.

“I have been involved in many conversations surrounding the theatre and I believe we are making progress. I am also heartened by our conversations with our wider partners, such as the Arts Council of Wales.

“I am pleased to hear that the former Trust wish us well and I look forward to providing further a statement once the options appraisal has taken place”.

• According to the Companies House website the theatre’s trust is still active and has four current members.