A ROW over funding cuts to The Anvil Arts has deepened as senior councillors have penned an open letter to residents highlighting concerns over the theatre’s management. As reported in last week’s Gazette, chief executive Matthew Cleaver called for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to reverse its decision to cut funding by 50 per cent. Now two senior figures from the council, leader Cllr Ken Rhatigan and cabinet member Cllr Simon Bound, have responded, writing a public letter, raising concerns of a lack of “strategic planning” by The Anvil Arts’ management. The organisation has been given £1.1million in public money to sustain themselves during the pandemic but hasn’t ‘adequately prepared’ itself for recovery, according to councillors.