A PETITION rallying against proposed funding cuts for South Hill Park has gathered more than 1,000 signatures in just two weeks.

Funding for the Ringmead arts centre could be slashed by £244,000 by the council over the next three years if proposed budget cuts go ahead, prompting an outcry from residents and artists who claim the cuts will destroy “the jewel in Bracknell’s crown”.

Begun by Natalie Hayllor, the petition had 1,051 supporters as the Weekender went to press.

Online, Natalie said: “South Hill Park is a centre for excellence in a wide range of artistic domains. Enabling education and entertainment through the arts as well as being a meeting point for the wider community with societies, workshops and courses for local residents.

“So we urge you to support us in petitioning against this action by the council.”

A supporter writing as Graham MS said: “South Hill Park Arts Centre is the jewel in Bracknell’s crown. It is focused on delivering quality entertainment and arts to the people of Bracknell and does an excellent job.

“Ron McAllister and his dedicated team do an amazing job with minimal resources, punching well above their weight.

“However, because a significant amount of funding was withdrawn four/five years ago, they do all this on an absolute shoestring. So the plan to withdraw a further £244,000 of funding could well be the centre’s death knell.”

In September it was reported the council 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 in both 2017/18 and 2018/19 on top of the £44,000 cut already made this year and amount to a total cut of £244,000 to the centre’s budget by 2019.

The council has also discussed plans to put a stop to elected members sitting on the South Hill Park Trust in order to avoid a “conflict of interest”.

Ron McAllister, CEO of South Hill Park has been unable to discuss the funding changes while discussions are ongoing and the council has stressed the changes to budgets are not set in stone and could be altered.

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, has said the cuts to the arts centre budget are the result of an 80 per cent reduction in the central government grants the council receives.