Call for funding review over Mini Pride rejected
BBCA bid to review funding to a theatre because it planned to host a "Mini Pride" event has been defeated.
Reform councillors on Cheshire West and Chester Council said they had "concerns about the hosting and promotion" of the event at the Storyhouse in Chester, questioning whether it would be suitable for children.
The Conservative group put forward their own amendment to scrap the funding review but calling for an alternative name for the event.
But the amendment and original motion were defeated, with Labour members saying the proposed funding review set a "really dangerous precedent".
The Mini Pride event, which is to take place on 14 February, is described by Storyhouse as a family-friendly event for children aged three to seven and their carers.
On its website, Storyhouse said the event included age-appropriate and non-sexual picturebooks, arts and a fictional storyteller character, which it said was not a drag performance.
Before the discussion, a number of councillors declared they were members of Storyhouse, which receives about £1.1m of council funding a year.
Storyhouse chief executive Annabel Turpin told the meeting the organisation had a responsibility to safeguard children and was "confident that Mini Pride meets those responsibilities".
'Appalled'
The original motion was put forward by Reform councillor Mandy Clare. She said while "inclusivity" was "vital", she questioned whether the themes associated with a Pride event were appropriate for children.
"This isn't about stifling creativity, it's about doing the right thing," she said.
Conservative leader Adrian Waddelove said the original motion had "gone too far", and put forward an amended motion removing the funding review but calling for a name change because "many people feel they cannot be included".
The amended motion was supported by Reform's Clare.
Labour councillor Katrina Kerr, whose ward includes Storyhouse, said a number of residents had contacted her about "how appalled they are about this motion".
"Arts funding exists to protect creativity and freedom of speech, not punish it," she said.
Turpin said the event was about "recognition, not instruction or promotion".
The amended motion was rejected with 35 voting against the motion, 22 in favour of it, and one abstention.
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