Chairman's Statement
STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN OF THE ROPETACKLE TRUST
As is widely known, the Ropetackle Arts Centre has, for some time, been facing a difficult financial situation.
Since opening in 2007, the Centre has relied upon the income generated by its own activities (performances, bar sales, and conferences), through the efforts of it unpaid trustees and committed team of more than 100 volunteers.
Its only external funding has been by way of limited – but vital, and most welcome – support from Adur District Council, and a few modest grants for specified projects.
Without this support, the Centre would have had to have closed its doors long before now.
The fact that it has been able to keep going, has been largely due to the success it has achieved; audiences have steadily increased, and Ropetackle has become firmly established on the regional arts map, and as a welcoming community venue.
There is no doubt that Ropetackle has become a significant asset to Adur generally, increasing the visitors to the area, benefiting business, and enhancing Adur’s reputation as a centre of excellence for the arts and community engagement.
Ropetackle’s success is also evident from the level of support and involvement by the Adur community: over 100 volunteers, who have become a true community themselves, imbuing the Centre with an ethos of inclusiveness; and a burgeoning Friends scheme.
In a recent survey conducted by the Shoreham Herald, 79% were in favour of the Council continuing to fund Ropetackle.
This success has come largely through the leadership and sound management of the board of trustees.
What has caused the funding crisis Ropetackle currently faces, is not, as has been suggested in some quarters, any shortcomings in the way in which the Centre is run. It is due to the fact that it was never financially viable without external funding.
Ropetackle originated as a joint initiative between the Council and members of the Adur community. That partnership is the basis on which the Trust took on the running of the Centre, the Council supporting it – both financially, and by close involvement (a Council Cabinet member attends Trust board meetings).
The fact that Tim Loughton MP chaired the Trust during the development phase of the Centre, and for its first 2 years of operation, was a further indication of the value of Ropetackle to Adur.
What has occurred recently has been a “perfect storm” of adverse factors; the Council’s severe cuts, coinciding with a significant reduction in ticket sales (which Ropetackle is suffering in common with arts venues throughout the country).
As a charity, the Trust has to operate within specific constraints. In particular, it must not incur any financial liabilities unless it is confident they can be met.
The Trust is perilously close to that position.
However, it is working closely with the Council to try to find a way forward, and to avoid having to close the Centre, a step that would come as a huge blow to so many people who have worked so hard to achieve its success.
The Trust has recently also been in discussion with the Arts Council, which, despite the cuts to its funds, is interested in helping to develop Ropetackle, which it considers has the potential to attract significant funding.
The plan now, is for the Trust and the Council to try to work out a basis on which Ropetackle can continue to operate in the short term, whilst longer term plans are formulated.
The Council has instigated a review of Ropetackle’s funding, and of the provision and value of the arts in Adur.
The Trust welcomes this review, and will be working closely with the Council to try to secure a future for Ropetackle which not only allows it to survive, but to continue its development as a centre for the benefit of Adur.
Martin Allen
Chairman – The Ropetackle Trust
4 October 2011
