Farron seeks commitment to restore Northern Rock 'arts and heritage' funding to Cumbria

10.17.01am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 10th Apr 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has written to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Rock Foundation, Alastair Balls today in an effort to secure guarantees that arts and heritage projects will receive significant backing. Since the bank was fully nationalised last month it has been confirmed that the Foundation will receive a guaranteed minimum of £15m per year. It had been feared that the Foundation's funding would disappear completely - a huge blow for charities in the North West.

Tim Farron recently tabled a parliamentary question to the Treasury who confirmed that it was down to the board of trustees to allocate funding to causes as they see fit. Mr Farron singled out the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal as a cause which would benefit hugely from a donation.

Tim Farron said:

"It was great to hear that after Northern Rock was fully nationalised the funding for the Foundation will be secured to the tune of at least £15m per year. However, I want to see guarantees that arts and heritage projects receive funding.

"The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal is a fine example of a cause that would benefit hugely from an injection of cash from the Foundation, but there are many others. I have written to Mr Balls urging him to allocate money in these areas."