Culture saved in Ipswich

2.54.29pm GMT Fri 2nd Mar 2007

LibDems - saving culture in Ipswich with repairs to the "Regent"

Labour had planned to close the Corn Exchange, even though public consultation showed support for ALL the cultural venues in Ipswich. But the LibDems on the Borough have other plans.

The Labour government is only giving an increase of 2.5% on the "Major Repairs Allowance" to Ipswich Borough Council - at a time when the cost of building repairs is going up by around 8% a year. They obviously suffer from the same problem as Ipswich Labour - who accumulated a £25 million repairs backlog before they were kicked out of the Borough Council.

So in these circumstances - of tight funding from government - it's great news that the joint administration on Ipswich Borough can put £1.5 million towards repairs at Christchurch mansion, the Corn Exchange and the Regent in the coming financial year starting in April, and £1.9 million in the year after.

And Labour had the cheek to suggest that Ipswich would become a "cultural desert" unless they were in power!