English National Opera: Buildings
(asked on 17th November 2022) - View Source
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the London Coliseum is under public (1) ownership, or (2) control; and if so, (a) what is its legal status, and (b) whether Arts Council England or any other public body retain any residual control or ownership rights, including the power to sell the venue.
Answered by
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, through its Investment Programme are taken by Arts Council England at arm’s length from His Majesty’s Government.
Arts Council England has a robust process to determine how funding decisions are made. The decisions were made in line with its published guidance and in response to its ten-year strategy, ‘Let’s Create’. Assessments were carried out by Arts Council England, and decisions were made by its Area and National Councils, which include both local representatives and people who work in the sector.
The London Coliseum is owned freehold by English National Opera and is not under public ownership or control. The property can be used according to the terms as set out in agreements between English National Opera and each of its funders. This includes Arts Council England.