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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pop Centre funding investigation | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The £4m funding of a project to set up a music and television training centre is to be investigated. | The £4m funding of a project to set up a music and television training centre is to be investigated. |
| The Welsh Assembly Government has asked the European Commission to look at the Pop Centre MP3 Café in Rhondda. | The Welsh Assembly Government has asked the European Commission to look at the Pop Centre MP3 Café in Rhondda. |
| The former education body Elwa provided £4m in 2002 to Avanti Media Group to set it up, but half the money was not spent and the company paid it back. | The former education body Elwa provided £4m in 2002 to Avanti Media Group to set it up, but half the money was not spent and the company paid it back. |
| The company said it had always been entirely open and was surprised there could be a further investigation. | The company said it had always been entirely open and was surprised there could be a further investigation. |
| Even though half of the money has been handed back, the European Commission could decide more of the cash should be returned if funding rules have been broken. | Even though half of the money has been handed back, the European Commission could decide more of the cash should be returned if funding rules have been broken. |
| The Pop Factory describes itself as a venue with comprehensive studio and post-production facilities, set in the former home of a soft drinks factory in Porth. | The Pop Factory describes itself as a venue with comprehensive studio and post-production facilities, set in the former home of a soft drinks factory in Porth. |
| Six years ago it received the money from the education and training quango Elwa, to transform an old supermarket into a new music and television training centre in the Rhondda. | Six years ago it received the money from the education and training quango Elwa, to transform an old supermarket into a new music and television training centre in the Rhondda. |
| 'Significant shortcomings' | 'Significant shortcomings' |
| In 2003 Elwa was accused of serious management failings in a damning report by the Welsh assembly's audit committee. | In 2003 Elwa was accused of serious management failings in a damning report by the Welsh assembly's audit committee. |
| Elwa was one of several quangos - quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations - abolished and brought under direct control by the assembly government in 2006. | Elwa was one of several quangos - quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations - abolished and brought under direct control by the assembly government in 2006. |
| The committee said it was guilty of significant shortcomings in projects, including the Pop Centre MP3 Café. | |
| Now a report for the assembly government has found a "number of issues" and has recommended it should be referred to the European Commission. | Now a report for the assembly government has found a "number of issues" and has recommended it should be referred to the European Commission. |
| In a statement, Avanti Media Group (AMG) said it found out about the referral to the European Commission only on Thursday. | In a statement, Avanti Media Group (AMG) said it found out about the referral to the European Commission only on Thursday. |
| It said it had been working with the assembly government "to bring any issues raised by them to a satisfactory conclusion and the company was therefore surprised to receive notification of the proposed referral". | It said it had been working with the assembly government "to bring any issues raised by them to a satisfactory conclusion and the company was therefore surprised to receive notification of the proposed referral". |
| It had "hoped and remains hopeful that a resolution to the issues can be reached without the need of a referral to take place". | It had "hoped and remains hopeful that a resolution to the issues can be reached without the need of a referral to take place". |
| The statement said Avanti had "always been entirely open" with the assembly government about dealings with Elwa and the conduct of the contract. | The statement said Avanti had "always been entirely open" with the assembly government about dealings with Elwa and the conduct of the contract. |
| The company has asked to meet the assembly government next week. | The company has asked to meet the assembly government next week. |