Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, has welcomed the SNP Scottish Government’s £20 million for culture funding in its draft Budget with commitments to deliver an additional £100 million in annual culture by 2028/29.
However, investment from Holyrood comes at a time when Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is reportedly planning to continue its plans to cut the entirety of its support for arts and culture.
The proposed local authority cuts have sparked concern from island art centres An Lanntair and Taigh Chearsabhagh about the feasbillity of their future projects.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“Our culture and creative industries are not a luxury; they are central to our island identity and economy. I am pleased that we are delivering on our arts and culture funding commitments as part of this year’s Scottish budget.
“However, I am very concerned at the noises from within the arts sector in the islands that any benefits from national funding could be negated by any Comhairle decision to cut all arts funding locally.
“I recognise that the Comhairle is in a very challenging financial situation. It could be argued that the funding formula used by CoSLA to distribute funding to local authorities needs to ensure that the high cost of delivering public services in an area like the Western Isles is better factored in. Nonetheless, I was very glad to see the Scottish Government introduce the Islands Accelerator Model as a new funding initiative to support infrastructure improvements.
“Meanwhile, however, it’s important that our islands’ arts and culture sector is protected. I would urge as many people as possible to complete the local authority’s survey on this issue by the deadline of this Friday ahead of the Comhairle’s meeting in February to finalise its budget.”
