SWINDON Dance the prominent national agency is still on track to become a charity, contrary to a report in last night's Evening Advertiser.

In yesterday's edition, it was incorrectly reported that plans to remove the agency from Swindon Council control had been put on hold.

This was because of a misunderstanding, and in fact the plans to turn it into a charitable trust were approved at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.

Although the plans were bitterly criticised by Labour councillors, they were unable to stop them being voted through.

The Tory administration is adamant that the agency, based in the Town Hall Studios in Regent Circus, will fare better as an independent charity.

This, they say, will give managers access to more funding, while the council will be able to pour more cash into essential areas. Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawns) said: "In the last few years it has become obvious that the future for Swindon Dance is as a charity.

"As a trust, it will be able to unlock other sources of funding which will allow it to develop in ways the management would like it to.

"When the agency was established by Thamesdown Borough Council 20-odd years ago, we were a rich district authority.

"Now, we are a very poor unitary authority and one of the lowest funded in the country.

"Our top priority must be such areas as education and social services. We are also being urged by the Government to enter into partnerships with external organisations to secure the maximum funding possible."

Around 40,000 people of all ages either watch or take part in its productions of ballet, tap, contemporary and jazz dance every year.

Many who attend Swindon Dance one of 10 national dance agencies in the UK go on to enjoy a professional career on the stage.

The council will not cut all ties with the agency.

A shadow board is being set up to oversee the changes, and the council will continue to provide funding of £285,000 a year plus inflation.

This will continue for an initial period of three years, roughly matching a commitment by the Arts Council.

Tamash Lal