ARTS funding for South Hill Park could be slashed by £244,000 over the next three years if proposed budget cuts go ahead amid major changes to Bracknell Forest Council's relationship with the centre.

Unprecedented cuts to Bracknell Forest Council's support grants from central government revealed in December 2015 are beginning to hit home as plans for the next three year's of council spending become clearer, with South Hill Park's annual grants at the forefront of cuts.

The council also discussed plans to put a stop to elected councillors sitting on the South Hill Park Trust in order to avoid a "conflict of interest" and free up spaces for new members with different skills as the News went to press yesterday.

Amid the threats to the future of South Hill Park's funding, Ron McAllister, chief executive of the arts centre, was unable to comment on the proposed size of the cuts and said: "South Hill Park is actively involved in discussion and negotiation with Bracknell Forest Council and therefore I am unable to comment on future funding at this stage."

On the possible changes to the Trust he added: "If Bracknell Forest Council feel that they are happy not be represented as trustees on the Board of South Hill Park then we are happy to comply. It is pleasing to hear that the council has confidence in the way that SHP operates its business."

Last week the News reported the council had agreed to a £9.5m cut to the grant they receive from central government by 2019 and had produced an Efficiency Plan to demonstrate how savings would be made.

Outlined in the plan was a proposal to slash £100,000 from the money allocated to South Hill Park arts centre in both 2017/18 and 2018/19.

The further cutbacks come on top of the £44,000 cut already made to South Hill Park's funds from the council this year and amount to a total cut of £244,000 to the centre's budget by 2019.

However councillors stressed the plan is not 'set in stone' and could be altered in coming years.

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “The proposed governance changes are being carefully considered and were discussed at Executive last night (Tuesday, Sept 27).

“The proposed governance changes to South Hill Park Trust would free up places on the board for new members with the right skills, experience and knowledge to best serve the trust going forward.

“It would also avoid any conflicts of interest between board members who are also Bracknell Forest councillors.

“Due to the 80 per cent reduction in central government Revenue Support Grant that the Council will receive by 2019, we simply must take steps to reduce our expenditure.

“Every one of our services will have to be thoroughly reviewed over the next three years, including the grant funding for our arts strategy which is currently provided primarily by the South Hill Park Trust.

“I would like to stress that at this time no final decisions have yet been made.”