JOBS could be lost, arts organisations forced to close and festivals lost as a result of a decision by Shropshire Council to end arts grant funding.

Organisations in Ludlow and throughout south Shropshire are waiting to find out what the implications will be from a decision to end funding through the Revenue Client Grant Scheme.

In the last two years, local arts projects including SpArc in Bishop's Castle, the Ludlow Fringe Festival, Appletree, Scrappies in Church Stretton and the Church Stretton Arts Festival have received approaching £14,000 in grants, which have enabled them to gain additional match funding.

According to Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North of Shropshire Council, the impact will be serious and jobs may be lost.

He says that the county’s Community Arts and Festivals Service is being disbanded and only one part-time arts development officer will remain in post.

What is not clear is how this will impact upon on local arts festivals including the Ludlow Fringe Festival and other events in the county like the annual Church Stretton Arts Festival.

“The grant scheme was used by many organisations in the county as a seed-corn funding to leverage larger grants out of the Arts Council and Lottery,” said Cllr Boddington.

“Thirty-two arts organisations and festivals were supported through the Revenue Client Grant Scheme in 2014/15, levering at least £100,000 from grants and earned income.

“The loss of the scheme will make it much harder for smaller arts organisations and festivals in the county to survive and thrive.

“We are, of course, short of money. That’s why it is important to support actions that bring in funds from other sources, not just arts, but also museums and libraries. This makes the limited funding we have go much further.”

Cllr Boddington believes that the cuts to arts funding is another example of a divide between Shrewsbury and the north of the county and Ludlow and south Shropshire which, he believes, is getting the thin end of the wedge.

“Instead Shropshire Council seems to be withdrawing from everything but its flagship projects in Shrewsbury,” he added.

“Our cultural organisations contribute a lot to the quality of life of residents and to the enjoyment of visitors. It is short-sighted to cut back on funding that brings huge benefits and jobs to the county.”

Earlier this year a packed public meeting in Ludlow Assembly Rooms heard of plans by Shropshire Council to make major cuts in the Museum Resource Centre based at Ludlow Library.

This resulted in an outcry and as a consequence an agreement was made to soften the blow although there were still major cuts implemented.

Youth services in the town are another issue that has led to accusations that Shropshire Council has not been playing fair with Ludlow and the south of the county.

Part of the Youth Centre in Ludlow as been taken over for use as council offices and there are also proposals to cut back on register office services in Ludlow.

Shropshire Council informed arts organisations of the changes to the Revenue Client Grant Scheme in an email.

The council said that in future its support for the arts would be more strategic and that a part-time arts development officer post will be retained.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Cabinet Member with responsibilities for Culture said: "Following the recent conversations we have had with the arts organisations, we are now reconsidering our position in relation to this matter.

"We recognise the importance of the arts sector and the additional value they bring and wish to engage and consult more fully with them in the coming weeks on this matter."