Fringe grant may be re-instated following review

This Press Release has been issued by the High Peak Borough Council Labour Group.

Buxton Festival Fringe looks set to get a three year grant from High Peak Borough Council, following a review of the Council's community fund policy.

The change of heart was pushed through Buxton Labour Cllr Caitlin Bisknell, as part of a review being carried out by a working group of councillors.

The review was prompted by concerns about how the Borough distributed grants and followed the decision by the ruling LibDem / Tory coalition on the Council to cut the amount it gave out in grants by £10,000.

Buxton Festival Fringe was worst hit - losing its entire Borough Council grant; others groups such as High Peak Community Arts and New Mills Heritage Centre saw their grants cut.

Cllr Bisknell said: "I am delighted that the Corporate Select Committee agreed that Buxton Festival Fringe should be put back on the list of grant recipients, and that it should receive a three year grant.

"The Fringe is run entirely by volunteers and does a huge amount of work, on a shoestring budget. On top of that it brings around £250,000 into the local economy each year. The Fringe Festival offers something for everyone - caters for all age groups and tastes; offering people the chance to perform in or see a wide range of shows.

"The re-instatement of this grant will help the Fringe Committee to plan for its future and ensure its long term sustainability."

The policy will now go out to public consultation before it is finally agreed by the Council's LibDem/Tory Executive.

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For further information contact: Cllr Caitlin Bisknell: 07840 808032