The Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) faces an uncertain future after a series of damaging allegations surrounding its solvency. The BBC Wales documentary Dragons Eye has claimed that an unpublished review, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), had revealed that the landmark arts centre has debts of £13.5m, which it cannot repay, and went on to predict considerable losses in the future.
In a statement to the National Assembly of Wales, Heritage Minister, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, confirmed that the WAG will guarantee the £13.5m debt, and said that discussions over further support were ongoing, with details expected on 5 November, following publication of the draft WAG budget. Refusing to be drawn on details, the Minister struck a cautious note when he said, The Assembly Government has always said that it will not provide an open ended commitment to the WMC. Should the WAG decide to provide further support to WMC, I would of course be looking at how the Centre could operate more efficiently within its budget. Fears for the WMC were first raised in the light of its annual revenue subsidy from the WAG, which stands at £750,000: WMC is said to have asked for this to rise to £4m.
Published: 22-10-2007