THE Stiwt Theatre in Rhos will receive funding support from Wrexham Council to help secure its future for the next three years.

At its meeting this week the council’s Executive Board agreed to continue the £30,000 a year support to the Stiwt Trust which runs the venue, including the delivery of a programme of Welsh cultural activities.

The report, presented by lead member for place and environment, Rossett Cllr Hugh Jones (Con) considered by the Executive Board stated that the alternative cost of ending funding and closing the building, putting it back in the council’s responsibility, effectively ‘mothballing’ it, had been estimated at almost £47,000 annually.

Pant Councillor Stella Matthews (Lab) queried whether the funding provided should match the mothballing estimate, given inflation.

Ruabon Cllr Dana Davies (Lab) pointed to the part played by the Stiwt in Wrexham City of Culture bid and argued that given inflation and the cost of living crisis, this was effectively a ‘cut’ in funding.

Bidding for City of Culture 2029 takes place in 2025.

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Cllr Jones said: “The mothballing costs have never been directly related to the money we give to the trust.

“The trust have requested the council consider a further funding arrangement at the existing level of £30,430 per annum, so we are responding to the request of the trust.

“We have worked with the board of the Stiwt Trust, we have worked with the Arts Council of Wales, and we’ve worked with a number of organisations to ensure the Stiwt is well supported and well funded.

“In times of increasing difficulty we’ve always maintained that working relationship.”

He added that the Stiwt is an important part of the City of Culture bid and that “every opportunity will be taken to seek additional funding for arts and culture across the county borough”.

“I’m enthusiastic and confident we can find other ways of funding and support”, Cllr Jones said.

Ponciau Cllr Paul Pemberton (Ind) spoke to pay tribute to the volunteers and trust board who keep the venue running, adding that without them “the Stiwt would be history”.

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The Stiwt is a Grade II listed building owned by Wrexham Council. The Stiwt Trust holds a 25 year lease and is responsible for repairs and maintenance. The lease was renewed in 2011 and has 15 years left to run.

Funds have been provided to the trust from the council since an agreement in October 2015, reducing over time, and this extension will help secure the venue’s future.

As well as funding from the local authority, Rhos Community Council also provides the Stiwt with financial support of £6,000 per year. The Rhos Housing Estate office will also continue to be based in the building.

The Arts Council Wales continue to provide grant funding too, but this is only for the direct delivery of activities and events and cannot be used as a core income stream.