I WOULD like to add my voice to express my sincere disappointment at the proposed cuts in North Somerset, especially the one of the Arts Development Officer post. Since Fiona Matthews' appointment, the area has been blossoming with arts projects, commun

I WOULD like to add my voice to express my sincere disappointment at the proposed cuts in North Somerset, especially the one of the Arts Development Officer post. Since Fiona Matthews' appointment, the area has been blossoming with arts projects, community and otherwise, and the amount of money generated by the various projects put in place has been quite significant. The post and what it entails are a vital part to the well-being and creativity of North Somerset and its residents. The Arts Development Officer is a necessary link between the arts and the local authority, between schools and the artists, between the various community projects and the artists. Fiona Matthews has provided clear thinking, commitment, knowledge of the various funding agencies and a very significant amount of time, often on top of her job, to help, advise, and support the various projects now firmly in place in North Somerset, because of her. I personally, and on behalf of North Somerset Arts, urge the council to stop this proposed - and vital to us - cut. North Somerset would be poorer because of it. The post and the slim budget attached to it cost the council £18,000 a year maximum. If you place this figure against the money generated by the various projects generated by this particular officer, which is in excess of £300,000, it does not make sense.ANNIE TAYLOR - Coordinator of North Somerset Arts Week