Arts Council to consider new funding recommendation
Following the Arts Council's decision to withdraw its funding earlier this year, Watermans submitted a claim for a judicial review.
Reviewing both the Arts Council's and Waterman's submissions, the Honourable Mr Justice Langstaff made an order returning the matter to court to deal with various issues.
In the Notification Mr Justice Langstaff observed specifically that Watermans: “was told (by the Arts Council) of the rationale for the proposed decision (to withdraw its funding) so it could comment on it, and arguably having answered this found that the final decision had been taken on different grounds which it had no proper opportunity to address.”
Watermans has always maintained that this is an unfair process and a clear breach of public law.
Following the Court’s Notification, the Arts Council has now asked Watermans to withdraw its legal action in return for a new funding recommendation being taken to the Arts Council’s next London Regional Council Meeting.
In a statement today, Karam Bhullar, Chair of Watermans, said, “This decision is a very positive result for Watermans. The Arts Council has since offered to settle the matter out of court. We welcome this approach which will allow us to focus our time and resources on our arts programme.
"At a time when Watermans is planning to play a significant role in the launch of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, we would not want these proceedings to cast a shadow over the programme for West London. Given the Judge’s positive comments about our case, we hope that the Arts Council will now reinstate Watermans’ funding without further delay.”
Full details of Watermans regular programme can be found on www.watermans.org.uk
June 17, 2008