THE long-term future of a popular free music festival could be secured this afternoon.

The Stanley Blues Festival nearly folded this year when Derwentside District Council withdrew funding and administrative support. But the authority reversed its decision after a public outcry.

The event is organised by Consett-based music co-operative Northern Recording.

A report to the council is recommending that it stops underwriting the festival each year. Instead, it will give Northern Recording a one-off payment of about £85,000.

This will make the group independent and place it on a sound financial footing, which means it could attract funding from other groups.

Council leader Alex Watson said: "This guarantees the future of a key event for Stanley and Derwentside.

"Not only will it be a better blues festival, but it will not be costing the taxpayer in the long-term."

The council initially stopped its festivals budget this year as it tried to save £1m to keep its council tax rise to a minimum.

Coun Watson said: "It has not been an ideal situation for Northern Recording, as they have had to wait until we set the budget each year before they could do anything.

"Also, we cannot attract outside funding in the same way as an independent charitable organisation."

The festival has been running for 11 years, and last year attracted more than 12,000 people. It brings about £500,000 a year into the local economy.

The council will look at the proposals at a meeting in Consett Civic Centre at 4.30pm.

Paul Green, head of Northern Recording, said: "Stanley is now recognised everywhere as the home of the blues festival.

"It is an extremely popular event and is supported by thousands of local people.

"We are continuing to work with Derwentside District Council and other partners to actively secure the event's long-term future."

Published: 06/12/2004