"Absolutely not true," retorted director, Guy Roderick this week.

But Mr Roderick, say the ACW, we have agreed to award Wyeside Arts Centre revenue funding through to the end of March 2009.

"The Arts Council's grants manager, who conducted a report on us last year, said the Wyeside could not survive on the funds it currently receives," replied Mr Roderick.

Remind anyone of a pantomime?

The theatrical handling of Wyeside for the last nine years, by the very organisations deemed to be its guardians, he says, has been nothing short of a farce, which would not have looked totally out of place performed as a melodrama on its stage.

Peter Tyndall, chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales, (ACW), said this week, following an ACW Board meeting last Friday: "ACW has agreed to award Wyeside Arts Centre revenue funding through to the end of March 2009 on condition it submits a Business Plan by March 31, 2008, confirming the financial viability of the Centre on the current level of regular revenue funding, and demonstrating clear support from other partner organisations such as the local authority."

The very funding the ACW are promising to uphold, however, is the exact same funding Mr Roderick says the Wyeside has been inadequately surviving on for the last nine years.

"The Wyeside saved?

"This is most definitely not the case," said Mr Roderick, speaking to the County Times this week.

Mr Roderick claims all the amateur dramatics could have been avoided as long as five years ago, had the ACW, Powys County Council (PCC) and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) not turned down a £20,000 request from the Wyeside.

"When I came here nine years ago I increased the turnover of the Wyeside by £100,000 in the first three years and increased the artistic activity by 60 per cent.

"An extra £20,000 would have allowed me to maintain that progress but the request was rejected."

Mr Roderick described the Wyeside as "the most brilliant example of a client who makes a little money go a long way".

With a PCC Board meeting today (Thursday) due to put forward to full council later in February either a recommendation of three or three-and-a-half per cent rise in council tax, the authority is holding it cards close to its chest as to whether "clear support" will be given to the Wyeside and says any decision will be left until the beginning of the new financial year.

A spokesman said: "It's too early to say what level of support Wyeside will be given. A proposal will be recommended today, and go before full council on February 14, which will then be confirmed on March 3."