POWYS County Council is proposing to pay more than £157,000 to help secure the future of Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon.

The council are looking to pay around half of the incurred capital expenditure costs on the theatre building since it opened in 1997, including costs incurred in the financial years 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17.

The proposed £157,920 is towards £356,752 of maintenance and repair costs on the building, which is owned by the county council. The council is also in discussions with the theatre and the Arts Council of Wales to look at a “sustainable solution for the building going forward”.

In a report, written as part of the “holder delegated decision” which was published on Tuesday, it says: “The proposed payment follows discussions with the Board’s representatives since late 2017 about issues facing the Theatr that have affected cashflow.

The payment and proposed review not only recognises the need to secure the Theatr’s position going forward but also the importance of securing the Council’s asset.

“It is clear that the future model of the agreement covering the building will also form part of the discussion whilst noting the lease has a number of years to run.

“The review will also look at the most appropriate way the Theatr can discharge its responsibility as a tenant. The tenant will heireinafter be required to evidence the ongoing obligation they have towards the property and compliance with the same.”

It is understood that building could face closure without the proposed help of the county council which is currently seeking approval.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, who supports the county council’s proposal said: “I don’t think anyone in Brecon wants to see the theatre at risk – it’s an attraction in the town, it boosts the economy and it produces jobs, not just a the theatre but also with things like local restaurants and bars.

“I think it’s the right thing for the council to do, to make the proposal, but I think there is a bigger thing here. I think we also need to find out why there is such financial difficulties for the building.”

Speaking about “the huge building in a small town”, the Labour councillor said that he thinks recent austerity resulting in a lack of funding for the arts combined with “architectural challenges” from repairs could be part of the reason.

He said: “My understanding is that there is a real issue. The council has stepped in to make a financial proposal, and considering the financial pressures on the council at the moment, they wouldn’t step in unless the threat to theatre was really significant”

The county councillor for Yscir Iain McIntosh also voiced his support for the decision along with the head of Powys County Council Cllr David Meredith of St David and Cllr Sarah Lewis of St Mary’s.

In the report, Cllr McIntosh said: “It is highly important that Theatr Brycheiniog continues to contribute around £1.5million to the local economy in and around Brecon. I fully support Powys County Council’s help in making sure we don’t lose such an important facility in our town and look forward to Theatr Brycheiniog, the Arts Council of Wales and Powys County Council joining forces to make sure a sustainable solution is achieved going forward to keep the theatre open for all visitors and tourists, the residents of Brecon and Yscir, and all surrounding areas.”

Cllr David Meredith noted in the report that he wants the historic issues affecting the building’s condition to be part of the review, meanwhile cllr Sarah Lewis said she was “pleased” that the county council will be supporting the facility.

When approached for a comment a theatre spokeswoman said that as a theatre they are unable to comment as the matter relates to the building which is owned by Powys County Council.

However she also said: “We welcome the news and support from Powys County Council.”

The pre-decision report, which has yet to be scrutinised, supports the council’s Vision 2015 objective for the economy.

An review of the impact of the required decision will be carried out in March.