Arts funding in Wales - Sample Motion

This sample motion is written according to Constituency Labour Party (CLP) guidelines, however we encourage members of all political parties to adapt it to reflect local needs and different political party rulebooks.

Sample motion

This Constituency Labour Party (CLP) notes that:

Welsh National Opera (WNO) is one of only two full-time UK opera companies producing full-scale opera performances outside of London and the South East of England, ensuring that constituencies across Wales and South West England have access to both world class culture and WNO's local work with the NHS, schools and families.  

This CLP further notes:  

• Welsh National Opera has faced significant funding cuts from both Arts Council England and Arts Council of Wales, including a 35% reduction from ACE and an 11.8% reduction from ACW 
• Funding cuts from arts councils represent a drop of around £3m in annual funding, and a 50% fall in the real terms value of its public subsidy since 2015 
• Despite continuing to receive awards and 5* reviews for recent productions of Death in Venice and Il Trittico, WNO is inevitably having to scale back the number of performances that it can deliver at its home base in Cardiff and in touring venues such as Llandudno, Bristol, Southampton and Plymouth 
• The wider arts sector in Wales is also under pressure, with many organisations struggling to maintain programming, outreach and jobs due to arts funding cuts.  

This CLP believes: 

• The arts are a cornerstone of our identity, creativity and community 
• Investment in music, theatre and cultural institutions like WNO is essential for economic development and tourism, and for education, mental health and Welsh culture 
• The Labour Party must champion the arts as a public good. 

This CLP resolves: ​

1. To call on the Welsh Government and UK Government to restore and increase funding for Welsh National Opera to enable it to maintain its full programme and outreach work 
2. To support a broader increase in public investment in the arts and music across Wales and England, including grassroots organisations, youth programmes and regional venues 
3. To write to the Welsh Government, the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargent MS, the Senedd Labour Party, and the Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens urging them to prioritise arts funding in future budgets and manifestos 
4. To promote awareness locally of the impact of arts funding cuts  
5. To encourage community support for cultural institutions.