Sandwell Council in Birmingham has defended its handling of an arts centre which has gone over budget. Council leader Darren Cooper said: "In the medium term financial plan, the council has allocated £1.5m for The Public per annum," referring to the centre. "It is not anticipated that this will change in the next financial year. However, the council has yet to set its budget for 2011/12 and this allocation will be reviewed before the budget is finalised. In the past we have only given the management £1.1m. The £1m we currently get each year from the Arts Council is in addition to this."