I HAVE been dismayed yet again at the shortsightedness of our council, now regarding the arts. Intent on cutting back on funding they took the decision to take all of the funding from only one organisation, instead of spreading it fairly across the five organisations that they currently fund.

Having been asked why at the area board meeting, I heard from a few councillors how they were worried it might be cut from the Salisbury International Arts Festival – I have to say, really do we want to keep the arts only for tourists or for the more affluent people who can afford them?

I have also heard the councillors avoid telling us why by moving on to talking about what they consider to be ‘more essential services'. Really, can we not be told simply why it has been pinpointed just at Salisbury Arts Centre’s £89,500 funding without all the smoke and mirrors? Come on Wiltshire Council!

The arts centre goes out to work in deprived areas, making sure “everybody matters”, which is the council’s own slogan – after emailing Councillor Jane Scott and my own local councillor and not receiving any response at all, I can presume is this slogan is just for show?

If you would like to join myself and others in asking Wiltshire Council to explain this decision and demand they make the cuts more fair then please go to the online petition https://www.change.org/p/wiltshire-council-please-revise-the-funding-cut-to-the-arts-centre, or if you don’t have internet access there is a paper petition you can sign at Wiltshire Gallery, Fisherton Street, Salisbury.

Kate Buttimer

Salisbury