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| Newcastle city council approves plan to totally cut culture budget | Newcastle city council approves plan to totally cut culture budget |
| (4 months later) | |
| Newcastle city council has approved a plan to cut completely its £2.5m culture budget despite concerted opposition from local residents and a host of artists connected to north-east England. | Newcastle city council has approved a plan to cut completely its £2.5m culture budget despite concerted opposition from local residents and a host of artists connected to north-east England. |
| Angry protesters gathered outside to oppose the cuts proposals, which will slash £100m off the council's budget over the next three years. Organisations including Northern Stage, Dance City and the Theatre Royal are set to lose funding totalling about £1.5m a year. | Angry protesters gathered outside to oppose the cuts proposals, which will slash £100m off the council's budget over the next three years. Organisations including Northern Stage, Dance City and the Theatre Royal are set to lose funding totalling about £1.5m a year. |
| Musicians such as Sting, Neil Tennant, Bryan Ferry, Mark Knopfler and Thomas Allen, writers such as Pat Barker and Tony Harrison, and actors including Robson Green and Kevin Whately signed a joint letter to the Guardian to express their opposition to the cuts to the arts and libraries. | Musicians such as Sting, Neil Tennant, Bryan Ferry, Mark Knopfler and Thomas Allen, writers such as Pat Barker and Tony Harrison, and actors including Robson Green and Kevin Whately signed a joint letter to the Guardian to express their opposition to the cuts to the arts and libraries. |
| Speaking at the meeting, council leader Nick Forbes defended the austerity plan, Fair Choices for Tough Times, but blamed the coalition government for forcing the local authority's hand. | Speaking at the meeting, council leader Nick Forbes defended the austerity plan, Fair Choices for Tough Times, but blamed the coalition government for forcing the local authority's hand. |
| He was "deeply angry" that every grant the authority received was being slashed by an "unfair government". | He was "deeply angry" that every grant the authority received was being slashed by an "unfair government". |
| He said no one should doubt the financial crisis the council was facing, adding that the cuts were being made "with a heavy heart and much soul searching". | He said no one should doubt the financial crisis the council was facing, adding that the cuts were being made "with a heavy heart and much soul searching". |
| People shouted and jeered from the public gallery as Forbes said the council would be regarded as a "civic basket case" if the cuts were not made. | People shouted and jeered from the public gallery as Forbes said the council would be regarded as a "civic basket case" if the cuts were not made. |
| He was also accused of spin and "playing the blame game" by the leader of the local Liberal Democrats, David Faulkner. | He was also accused of spin and "playing the blame game" by the leader of the local Liberal Democrats, David Faulkner. |
| In response to the consultation, which received 50,000 responses, Forbes said a new fund called the Newcastle Culture Fund would be created. Along with up to £600,000 of council money, the new venture will look for outside investment from individuals and organisations. | In response to the consultation, which received 50,000 responses, Forbes said a new fund called the Newcastle Culture Fund would be created. Along with up to £600,000 of council money, the new venture will look for outside investment from individuals and organisations. |
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