Latest news with #PhilipFaircloth-Mutton
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Suffolk arts projects awarded £500k after county council cutbacks
Half a million pounds of funding has been awarded to 33 museums and arts organisations across Suffolk in the hope of generating "new artistic experiences".Each of the recipients will be given a share of £500,000 from Suffolk County Council's Culture Project Fund, with successful bids ranging from £1,500 to £27,000.A panel of experts reviewed 131 applications for everything from new baby classes to a new community radio grants come after the authority previously revealed plans to cut arts funding from this year, which prompted backlash from the likes of Dame Judi Dench. 'Truly inspiring' Philip Faircloth-Mutton, cabinet member for Environment, Communities and Equality at the council said: "We are thrilled to be supporting a diverse range of creative and cultural projects. "As well as some higher-profile organisations, it's wonderful that lots of smaller projects, which often get overlooked for funding, will also benefit."The level of ambition and creativity shown in the applications was truly inspiring, demonstrating the incredible talent and passion that exists within Suffolk."This funding will help bring new artistic experiences to local communities, support the growth of our creative industries, and celebrate Suffolk's rich heritage." Suffolk County Council had previously announced plans to cut core arts funding by 100% after the 2024-25 financial after the government pledged a further £600m in funding for local authorities, the council performed a U-turn, pledging a £500,000 "funding pot".One of the arts venues which will benefit is the Theatre Royal, in Bury St Edmunds, which has been awarded £20, Calvert-Lyons, the theatre's artistic director and CEO, said while it will help cover the cost of its year-round participation programme, it actually represented an £80,000 cut."It is worrying what the impact is for Suffolk residents," he told BBC Suffolk."If the council is serious about providing great arts and culture then chopping that fund up into very small chunks is just one part of the picture."It doesn't really address how you get to sustain theatres, museums or great dance powerhouses in our region."Small pots are great but they don't address the need for great cultural infrastructure in our county." 'Decade of cuts' The Food Museum, in Stowmarket, also received £20,000 for its Rural Voices project, which wants to amplify the experiences of isolated and marginalised Jenny Cousins said: "It's always nice to receive funding, but we shouldn't let it mask the reality of a decade of cuts".Suffolk County Council was contacted for comment. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Construction of new £1m fish pass gets under way
Work has started on a new £1m eco-project which will enable the free flow of native wild brown trout, eels and coarse fish in a river. The Environment Agency has started the construction of a new fish pass in the River Lark at Turf Lock in Mildenhall, Suffolk – one of just 200 chalk streams in the world. The three-month project will see two weirs removed, which have been impeding the fish and eels' ability to access habitats for spawning and foraging upstream. Natural limestone boulders will be used to create a fish passage known as a rip-rap rock ramp, which provides shelter for fish. Lou Mayer, the environment programme manager for the Environment Agency, said: "It's fantastic to see work beginning on this important nature recovery project. "Chalk streams are an incredibly valuable natural resource which the Environment Agency is working hard to restore and protect." The project is part of the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme and is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It has been facilitated by Suffolk County Council, local councils, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water and Natural England. Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said: "Suffolk County Council is proud to support excellent partnership projects such as this, that deliver meaningful, and lasting outcomes to protect and enhance Suffolk's biodiversity through the restoration of our valuable chalk steam habitats." During the construction of the new fish pass the footpath on the north side of the River Lark will be closed - from the bridge at Mill Street to the access track adjacent to the cricket field. An alternative route will be established and signposted. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Funding secured to tackle area hit by heavy floods Government asked for £20m to fund flood prevention 'Foam-like' substance spotted on river surface The Environment Agency Suffolk County Council
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Construction of new £1m fish pass gets under way
Work has started on a new £1m eco-project which will enable the free flow of native wild brown trout, eels and coarse fish in a river. The Environment Agency has started the construction of a new fish pass in the River Lark at Turf Lock in Mildenhall, Suffolk – one of just 200 chalk streams in the world. The three-month project will see two weirs removed, which have been impeding the fish and eels' ability to access habitats for spawning and foraging upstream. Natural limestone boulders will be used to create a fish passage known as a rip-rap rock ramp, which provides shelter for fish. Lou Mayer, the environment programme manager for the Environment Agency, said: "It's fantastic to see work beginning on this important nature recovery project. "Chalk streams are an incredibly valuable natural resource which the Environment Agency is working hard to restore and protect." The project is part of the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme and is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It has been facilitated by Suffolk County Council, local councils, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water and Natural England. Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said: "Suffolk County Council is proud to support excellent partnership projects such as this, that deliver meaningful, and lasting outcomes to protect and enhance Suffolk's biodiversity through the restoration of our valuable chalk steam habitats." During the construction of the new fish pass the footpath on the north side of the River Lark will be closed - from the bridge at Mill Street to the access track adjacent to the cricket field. An alternative route will be established and signposted. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Funding secured to tackle area hit by heavy floods Government asked for £20m to fund flood prevention 'Foam-like' substance spotted on river surface The Environment Agency Suffolk County Council
BBC News
09-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Felixstowe Martello Tower P history project seeks volunteers
Volunteers are being sought to take part in a coastal fort history will help to conduct and gather research on Felixstowe's Martello Tower P in Suffolk which was built during the early 19th Century Napoleonic Wars as part of Britain's maritime defence project is part of ongoing work by East Suffolk Council and Suffolk Archives to "breathe new life into the structure and elevate its status among the heritage landscape".The aim of the research is to create a historical timeline of the seafront structure covering its 200-year lifespan. Between 1805 and 1812 eight Martello towers - built to house rooftop cannon - on the Felixstowe peninsula as a defence against possible invasion by French forces. Their design was inspired by an ancient watch tower at Mortella Point in Corsica and the towers were named with letters of the alphabet, stretching from East Sussex to 'P' in Martello Park at the southern end of Felixstowe was built with about 750,000 bricks and cost approximately £2,000 to construct. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, it was occupied by members of the Coastguard Service who kept watch for vessels suspected of smuggling and during World War One the building became a signal station intercepting secret German radio messages. Today the tower's lookout is one of the stations of the National Coastwatch Institution. Research will begin in February and the project is due to be completed in October. Paul Wood, head of economic development and regeneration at East Suffolk Council, said: "This is a brilliant opportunity for those invested in the rich history of Martello Tower P to be involved in this unique research project."It is a much-loved prominent landmark on the Felixstowe seafront and we are looking forward to working with Suffolk County Council in delivering this incredible project."Philip Faircloth-Mutton, county council cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said: "I'm pleased to see this great project that will help highlight the history of Martello Tower P. "We are excited to be working alongside East Suffolk Council to bring this fascinating landmark's story to life."No experience is required for the volunteering roles, as recruits will be provided with training and support, and applications via the Suffolk Archives website close 14 February. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
07-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Suffolk libraries contract discussion still ongoing
There are fears "time is slipping away" to negotiate who will run libraries in Suffolk, according to a council opposition charity Suffolk Libraries has run the service since August 2012 which now has 45 contract with the Conservative-run county council is due to run out on 31 May and a renewal deal has not yet been Stringer, leader of the Greens, Liberal Democrats and independents at the county council, said the group hoped the deal would be concluded soon. "We have concerns time is slipping away," he told the BBC."[We have] consistently asked for updates and though the updates have come, [the county council] have just been a holding position". In late 2023, the county council launched a public consultation to seek views on what residents wanted from the service once the Suffolk Libraries contract ran said it would undertake a "competitive procurement process ahead of offering a new contract" that was expected to be worth about £80m over 12 years. The contract would initially be awarded to cover six years with the option to extend for a further six.A spokesperson said the council wanted the "most advantageous provider" and to "ensure value for money for the taxpayer".The new contract was due to be awarded in November, but in December, the council withdrew its contract from Suffolk council is still in discussions with Suffolk Libraries and is not speaking to any other organisations. Philip Faircloth-Mutton, the cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said the council was "disappointed" it had not yet sorted the contract, as first reported by East Anglian Daily Times."This is because of difficulties in aligning bids with the service's requirements and budgets," he added."We understand how important these services are to residents, particularly those who rely on them for education, access to information, support and, of course, books."Our priority is and has always been to sustain and protect these vital services across Suffolk."He said an announcement on the contract should be made next month.A spokesperson for Suffolk Libraries also confirmed it was still in "active discussions" with the council."Whilst these discussions are still ongoing we can't comment further," they added. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
