A COUNCIL leader has hailed efforts to keep the arts alive in Darlington as “heroic” as councillors discussed plans to write-off an £18,000 loan that helped save a music venue.

At a meeting of Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet tonight (Tuesday, May 7), councillors were asked to write-off the loan which helped save The Forum, in Borough Road, Darlington, from closure in 2010.

The venue, which hosts gigs and offers recording facilities and music workshops, was saved from closure after a public campaign, with the council offering financial help and favourable rental terms to Humantics, a not-for-profit community interest company.

A 20-year lease for The Forum building was agreed, including a five year rent-free period, as well as an £80,000 loan to Humantics.

Due to the risk of imminent closure, £18,000 of the loan was advanced to The Forum before Humantics took over the building, and the remaining £62,000 was given once the company had taken over in 2011.

As a result, the council have been asked to write-off the initial loan of £18,000, treating it as a cost of securing the future of The Forum.

A report prepared for councillors supported the change to the loan, stating it would enhance the environmental, social and economic well-being of Darlington and would support the work of the Creative Darlington Board in finding sustainable arts venues with reduced public sector funding.

The council’s deputy leader, Councillor Stephen Harker, told members of the cabinet that many things have changed since 2010, with the closure of the Arts Centre in July last year.

“In light of that it is right that cabinet agree to this request,” he said.

Council leader Bill Dixon agreed, saying: “When we closed the Arts Centre we asked people in the borough to make provisions themselves and some of those provisions have been heroic.

“Everybody understands we have a limited pot of money available and I would like to pay tribute to Humantics and Darlington for Culture and everybody else who has helped keep the arts going strong.

“I would like to express my thanks to Humantics who have made an excellent job out of a very difficult situation.”

Coun Ian Haszeldine, chair of the efficiency and resources scrutiny committee, said the committee would be taking a further look at the report.