Critics are rounding on minister Ms Hart once again

Opposition parties Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives are furious there was no discussion and the council has branded it a "shambles" for relations with Cardiff Bay.

But the assembly now appears to have backtracked on the cash promise, distributing the grant around the country.

The original announcement by the finance minister - made during her budget statement in November 2001 - came as a surprise to AMs.

She said an annual �150,000 grant would be made available to fund "a chamber orchestra for Wales" and to make chamber music "more accessible to communities."

Little scrutiny

The orchestra made its debut performance in front of fewer than 100 people - and Ms Hart - on Tuesday.

But critics have hit out at the wisdom of the minister's decision, saying the project:

• Was never scrutinised by the culture committee
• Had not been announced by Culture, Language and Sport Minister Jenny Randerson
• Did not come from the body charged with distributing public money to worthy arts projects
• Did not feature in Mrs Randerson's culture review, 'A Culture In Common,' or her subsequent national strategy

The Arts Council of Wales has long held an aspiration to create a national chamber orchestra.

But angry council member Geraint Lewis told BBC Radio Wales: "Public funding for any major institution has to go through tendering and be seen to be accountable.

"The culture committee should investigate to see why the money was taken from a budget other than the culture budget, where the money came from, where the decision was made and why the procedures were not taken through traditional methods.

"Until recently, there was absolutely no extra funding available for this.

"Policy is being made up without any reference to the appropriate committee and there is some kind of constituency link here."

Favouritsm allegations

Ms Hart is the AM for neighbouring Gower and is facing allegations of favouritism.

The project is run by former Swansea County Council employee Gruff Harries.

He told BBC Wales he was simply a "lucky recipient" after submitting a detailed business plan to the assembly.

Jenny Randerson had said other groups could apply

It appears three or four similar arts bodies contacted Jenny Randerson to learn how they could bid for the cash.

She had promised other institutions could apply for awards.

And the administration appears to have had a change of policy, with the culture minsiter confirming Thursday the cash was not for the one project but many across Wales.

A statement indicated that the Chamber Orchestra of Wales will now get only �20,000 for "set-up" costs.

Opponents are again rounding on Ms Hart, following the debacle surrounding funding the assembly's proposed new debating chamber.

Opponents attack

Plaid Cymru culture spokesman Owen John Thomas said: "It's clearly outside her remit.

"Her interest seems to be geographical as it's near her constituency."

And the Tory AM for South Wales Central, Jonathan Morgan, added: "At best, we can say this is a procedural irregularity - at worst it's deeply suspicious."

In February, Ms Hart came under fire from opposition members following a row with Lord Rogers, who was sacked as architect of the proposed assembly chamber building.

He accused the Finance Minister of giving a misleading account of an adjudication in his favour over unpaid fees, by continuing to claim that he had underestimated the cost of the project.

Both Ms Hart and Ms Randerson have declined an interview with the BBC.