AS services and jobs are cut across the country, it was pretty obvious who was going to feel the pinch.

Yesterday Arts Council England announced which projects in Oxfordshire would receive cash after its own budget was slashed by £100m.

It has meant bad news for a number of groups, with many left counting the pennies today.

But with cuts to vital services hogging the headlines, we should perhaps not be surprised the arts gets a kicking.

Oxfordshire Theatre Company has described itself as being in “severe jeopardy” after it lost all its funding from the council.

There was some good news – particularly for Oxford Playhouse – but others will be discussing their future today.

No doubt the politicians will be criticised for their decision.

But, in these lean times, perhaps it is: a. not unexpected and b. not unjustified.

We must look at the work of arts groups in our communities.

Good work, helping lots of people get involved in projects. No doubt.

But yesterday they were also criticised for wasting too much money on administration.

Sports clubs also have trouble balancing the books. It is not an easy time for anyone.

It seems odd also that so many of these groups relied so heavily on Arts Council grants in the first place.

Now they must work to find other sources of support.

If these groups can diversify and find alternative cash streams, then perhaps the future is rosier.

Without such a heavy reliance on one source of support, theatre and the arts in the county may achieve a firmer footing.

It will be a tough battle, but one which will need to be won if our arts groups want to survive.