A governance row between the festival and its funders has rocked the charity run event
The future of a charity run Edinburgh festival has been put in doubt after it became involved in a governance row.
The City of Edinburgh Council which awarded the Edinburgh Mela Festival £76,679 last year has confirmed it isn’t putting up any funding this year, and Creative Scotlan,d which awarded the festival £80,000 in 2015, said in a joint statement with the council it did not have “confidence” in the festival’s current board.
Hitting back, a statement issued by the festival’s board said it was being subjected to unjustified criticism, adding that if the festival “dies in 2016 and does not return” it would be at the hands of the two organisations.
"The Mela board has been subjected to unjustified criticisms from the council and Creative Scotland regarding leadership, management, governance, rotation, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) threats and skills,” the statement said.
"A business plan was demanded. The Mela board has answered questions asked and responded to demands many times to repetitive requests.
If the Mela Festival dies in 2016 and does not return, Edinburgh council and Creative Scotland will remain responsible
"In contrast, questions asked by the Mela board have remained unanswered."
It is understood the council’s concerns over the festival’s governance relate to a complaint brought by a member of staff who resigned amid financial irregularities.
Police Scotland confirmed it has been made aware of the issue but said as it formed part of an ongoing inquiry, which includes establishing whether a crime has been committed, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
The Edinburgh Mela board’s statement continued: "The justification for proposing the destruction of the present Mela board and replacing it by 1 September 2016 must be explained to the public by Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland.
"It is not based on the Mela board not following its constitution, nor is it based on the failure of past Mela festivals.
"If the Mela Festival dies in 2016 and does not return, Edinburgh council and Creative Scotland will remain responsible."
The joint statement from the City of Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland said: "The council and Creative Scotland have been in detailed discussions with the Mela board for several months and have sought assurances on the many challenges facing the festival.
"The information submitted does not provide confidence that the Mela board can resolve the current difficulties, and as such, the council has now reluctantly taken the decision not to release public funds to this year's festival.
"The council and Creative Scotland are long-standing supporters of the Edinburgh Mela and the cultural benefits the event brings.
"We are disappointed a resolution has not been achieved and hope the Mela's current challenges can be addressed so that the festival can return in 2017."
Edinburgh Mela was first launched in 1995 and has grown in to a two day festival celebrating the very best in world music and dance.
The festival is held annually on Leith Links in Edinburgh and is due to take place this year on 27-28 August.
