MILLIONS of pounds in funding for theatres, orchestras and museums could be put at risk if Oxford City Council is scrapped, arts organisations have warned.

They claim it could also mean the end of free events ‘vital’ to the visitor economy, including the Christmas Light Festival, Cowley Road Carnival and Alice’s Day.

It is in response to calls for the city council to be replaced with a new ‘super council’ covering all of Oxfordshire, which could save an estimated £20m a year.

But in a joint letter today, 14 city arts leaders write: “Despite the pressures caused by funding cuts from central government, Oxford City Council has continued to invest in culture and the arts.

“We are concerned a change to a county-wide unitary authority might put at risk the wonderful arts and cultural organisations we are lucky to enjoy.”

Signatories include senior figures from some of Oxford’s biggest arts organisations, including Oxford Playhouse, Modern Art Oxford, Pegasus Theatre, The Story and The Old Fire Station.

Among others, they receive a total of £285,000 a year in grant funding from the city council. This is a fraction of their total running costs but they argue it allows them to go to other organisations – such as Arts Council England – and bid for further money.

The city council also organises The Christmas Lights Festival and is a main sponsor of Alice’s Day and the Cowley Road Carnival.

Jeremy Spafford, director of Arts at the Old Fire Station, said the local authority’s support was ‘really significant’.

He compared this to Oxfordshire County Council, the main supporter of the super council plan, which is set to axe all funding it provides to arts organisations – about £92,000 – in 2018.

Mr Spafford added: “The anxiety is that the county council has done the opposite of the city council and cut all of its arts funding.

“We appreciate the super council would be a new authority, but we just do not know if the support we get now would continue.”

In its proposals for a super council, the county council argues Oxford could still provide grant funding to the arts, and other priorities, by raising a parish-style precept. This was done in Salisbury under a super council in Wiltshire.

A county council spokeswoman added: "We absolutely recognise the importance of the arts and culture for Oxford and Oxfordshire.

"The proposal for a unitary council is designed to increase the opportunity for local decisions on funding of voluntary organisations, including the arts in Oxford.

"By saving £20m a year on the running costs of six councils, there will be more money to spend on the things residents really want – including the arts.”

But Bob Price, city council leader, said: “We work hard to put an emphasis on ensuring children from less advantaged backgrounds and disabled people have access to the city’s rich arts and culture offer.

“The worry is that under a super council this would be lost – particularly given there is little emphasis now on this at the county council.”