Campaigning Lib Dem councilors are celebrating victory in the first round of their battle to save ADEC as bungling Tories stage a dramatic U-turn.

They have forced the Conservatives to re-think their decision to scrap the district’s arts provider and bring the service in-house.

Pauline Wilson, Lib Dem lead member on community services said: “This is the first piece of common sense we have heard from the Tories in a long time.

“It would have been absolutely disastrous to scrap Arts Development East Cambridgeshire and put in jeopardy all the excellent projects they have put in place.

“Instead, we are hoping that the Tories will follow through and hold talks with ADEC to see if it can increase its volunteers and run on a reduced grant.

“We fully understand the budget constraints facing the council but destroying an organisation which is working well is nothing more than a fool’s errand.”

Tory leader, Cllr Fred Brown announced his group’s decision to think again on the future of ADEC to thousands of listeners to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on Monday.

ADEC’s future will be discussed at East Cambridgeshire District Council’s community services committee tomorrow (Thursday) where Lib Dems will fight to secure it.

Cllr Wilson will be lodging an amendment to the agenda item calling for the chief executive to enter into negotiations with ADEC to allow it to continue.

She is also pushing to reverse a decision to half the council’s contribution to Ely in Bloom which would save £2,000. “This tiny saving will be damaging to the vital tourist industry of this district,” she will tell members.

And Cllr Wilson will fight to remove a cut to the Ely Market maintenance budget.

“This small saving will damage the vibrant and successful Ely market and will reduce the number of traders and therefore customers coming to Ely,” she will tell members.

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