Rhys Evans The Politics Show Wales

Assembly faces Arts Council crisis

The Culture Minister, Alun Pugh, faces the threat of censure from Conservatives in the Assembly over his role in choosing the new Chair of the Arts Council of Wales.

The post becomes vacant on 31 March 2006, when Geraint Talfan Davies stands down.

He claims he was effectively sacked because he was not automatically reappointed by Alun Pugh after his first three years in the post.

Mr Talfan Davies has refused to go through what he called the "charade" of reapplying.

The arts in Wales is currently under review by the Culture Committee.

Some Assembly Members say the Arts Council needs a permanent chair while that's carried out.

One member of the Arts Council, translator and author Meg Elis agrees:

"Lacking a Chair with experience at this time is very detrimental to the Arts Council as a body and more importantly to the arts community as a whole".

Alun Pugh has been urged to ask Mr Talfan Davies to stay in the job, despite the dispute between them.

Geraint Talfan Davies' term as arts council chair ended

The former Arts Council Chair Sybil Crouch says the Culture Minister should swallow his pride.

Ms Crouch said: "Now the assembly has failed to advertise in good time for a new chair there really is no alternative but for some pride to be swallowed and for the minister to ask Geraint Talfan Davies whether he would be prepared to stay on.

"I think Geraint believes enough in the arts council to perhaps put his pride to one side and to accept if it was offered".

An Assembly Government spokesperson said an announcement on transitional arrangements on the chairmanship would be made "very soon".

Ministers are planning to strip the Arts Council of some of its powers, including the funding of the six biggest organisations.

Alun Pugh says it is vital to ensure arts money reaches the most deprived parts of Wales.

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