New MP welcomes community funding
The area's new MP, Gideon Amos, has praised Taunton's Liberal Democrat town council for supporting three of the county town's key cultural institutions, and the jobs and investment they produce.
The Brewhouse, the Museum of Somerset and the Creative Innovation Centre were all "at risk due to a lack of funding" but have now received funding thanks to the council's Venue Cost Grants.
Gideon said: "Taunton Castle and the Museum of Somerset, our theatre and CICCIC are the pride of our county town so full marks to our town councillors for securing their future. All three provide jobs and attract key investment to our town.
"It is our duty to maintain the castle and the heritage collection it houses for future generations.
"As a bastion it survived bombardment by both sides in the civil war - luckily the recent General Election has seen a much more peaceful transition of power and I'm delighted the future of the castle and our key heritage and cultural organisations has been secured."
- A total of £28,940 was awarded to the Taunton Theatre Association Ltd, which operates The Brewhouse for revenue funding towards staff running costs for their LEARN educational programme.
- The sum of £30,500 went to South West Heritage Trust for revenue funding to support the operation of the Museum of Somerset in Taunton.
- A further £49,500 was awarded to the Creative Innovation Centre CIC for revenue funding to support the core costs of running two venues - the Creative Innovation Centre itself, on Paul Street and The Arts Hub at Flook House on Belvedere Road - and support the costs associated with paying arts and culture providers.
The leader of Taunton Town Council, Cllr Tom Deakin, said: “With three of the town’s key cultural attractions all telling us through their applications that they were at risk due to lack of funding, it was only right we stepped in."
The town council has also awarded grants and sponsorship totalling £38,000 to a number of community organisations.
Cllr Deakin added: "At an overall level we are offering over £250k in community grants and sponsorship - directly funding back into the community we represent."