Written question WQ89317

The Arts Council of Wales’ Investment review is an issue for the Arts Council of Wales. Under the arm’s-length funding principle, the Welsh Government does not interfere in its funding decisions.

Whilst there has been no reduction in funding for Conwy County as a result of the Investment Review indicative funding decisions, we acknowledge that some difficult decisions were required and that many applications from across Wales did not receive an offer for the full amount requested. The Arts Council of Wales published a summary of decisions in the Investment Review 2023 Report and Decisions document. This includes a summary for each Local Authority (p49), which shows that the level of funding has remained unchanged for the Conwy Country Local Authority area, as a result of the indicative Investment Review funding decisions.

Through its strategic interventions published as part of the investment review report, the Arts Council of Wales is committed to developing its relationships with local authorities. Although the indicative funding decision is a continuity of previous funding for Conwy it has included them on the priority list of authority areas that it intends to engage with further.

The Welsh Government and the Arts Council of Wales maintain close dialogue through existing arrangements and this will continue throughout the remainder of the Investment Review process and subsequent phases.