Theatres Trust Response to DCMS Written Ministerial Statement

LONDON, July 26, 2010 - "In recognition of the important role of The Theatres Trust, we are
pleased to have received the assurance that we will continue as the national
advisory public body for theatres, operating as an independent statutory
advisory body. The Theatres Trust remains a body corporate and the objects of
The Theatres Trust Act 1976 and The Theatres Trust (Scotland) Act 1978 will
remain in force.

The only change will be the transfer of the powers of appointment of The
Theatres Trust's trustees from the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics,
Media and Sport to The Theatres Trust.

We will be working with the DCMS to ensure that this process is managed
smoothly and there will be no impact on the Trust's statutory work. We
anticipate a saving of administrative time as a result of the transfer of
powers of appointment, however we will need to allocate internal resources to
manage the transition. The Secretary of State will remain responsible for any
trustee appointments until the transition is complete."

Notes for Editors

About The Theatres Trust:

The Theatres Trust is the national advisory public body for theatres. It
was established by The Theatres Trust Act 1976 'to promote the better
protection of theatres'. This applies to all theatre buildings. Our main
objective is to safeguard theatre use, or the potential for such use but we
also provide expert advice on design, conservation, property and planning
matters to theatre operators, local authorities and official bodies.

Statutory provisions:

The Town & Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995,
Article 10, Para (v) requires the Trust to be consulted on planning
applications which include 'development involving any land on which there is
a theatre.'

The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)
(Scotland) Regulations 2008, "Regulation 25 Consultation by the planning
authority", Schedule 5, para.11, states that a planning authority must,
before determining an application for planning permission for development
consult "The Theatres Trust where the development involves any land on which
there is a theatre as defined in the Theatres Trust Act 1976."

For more information on The Theatres Trust visit:
www.theatrestrust.org.uk

For further information contact Kate Carmichael: +44(0)20-7836-8591, kate.carmichael at theatrestrust.org.uk