08 Aug 2011 01:45:47
Arts Council England has confirmed that it is withholding public money from the imploding Poetry Society until concerns are addressed "around governance, management and leadership".
The society has been wracked by internal divisions which have seen director Judith Palmer and president Jo Shapcott leave.
A spokeswoman for the Arts Council confirmed that the quarterly grant payment of £78,499, due in July, would not be paid until the society got its house in order.
Concerns have been partly addressed by the promise of the board to stand down and the appointment of an interim director.
"We are hopeful that by the time the AGM takes place early in September things will have progressed," a statement said. "Once the society is back in compliance with the terms of its current funding agreement we will be in a position to make the delayed grant payment."
