Divisions have emerged within Basingstoke s Conservative Party over its decision to cut funding for Anvil Arts. Last month, council leader, Cllr Ken Rhatigan, and deputy leader, Cllr Simon Bound, defended signing off an order to reduce funding for the iconic theatre by 50 per cent. Now two of their Conservative colleagues have branded the move as outrageous , with the town s next mayor saying that preserving the town s cultural offering would be among her top priorities. Speaking to the Gazette following their re-election to the council, in the Basing and Upton Grey ward, Cllrs Sven Godesen and Onnalee Cubitt cited protection of the town’s leisure facilities, including the Anvil and Haymarket theatres, as top priorities.