IN DECEMBER 2012, supporters of Basingstoke Live staged a musical protest outside the Civic Offices as part of their bid to save the popular event.

Two years on, and the campaigners returned last week as they fear the future of the festival is again in doubt.

This time, questions are being asked about a plan to look at outsourcing Basingstoke Live, and other events, to a private company – a move that could potentially save more than £200,000.

However, opponents question the way the savings plan has been drawn up, and some supporters of Basingstoke Live fear the character of the two-day free festival will be destroyed if it is privatised.

What is clear is there is a distinct lack of confidence among members of the local arts and cultural sector about the whole commissioning process.

In a letter to Cabinet member Counc-illor John Izett, Joanna Ridout, chair of the Basingstoke Cultural Forum, has outlined a raft of concerns, raising serious questions about the commissioning process, including the accuracy of information that has been used, and conclusions that have been arrived at by the Commissioning Outcome Group.

She has told Cllr Izett: “We are, with you, collectively very keen to face difficult decisions together, but have found the COG process opaque, built on a lack of understanding of how we operate, and working towards hidden agendas.”

The Conservative administration needs to address the questions and concerns as a matter of urgency if it is to have any hope of convincing the cultural sector, and wider public, that radical change will result in positive outcomes.