(1)A regional council may, as regards recreational, sporting, cultural or social facilities or activities, contribute—
(a)by way of grant towards expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by a district council; or
(b)by way of grant or loan towards expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by a voluntary organisation or other person, not being a local authority,
in providing or maintaining such facilities (or as the case may be in providing or promoting such activities); and for the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the powers under the foregoing provisions of this section in relation to cultural activities include the power to make such contributions as will promote music, theatre, opera, ballet and the other arts.
(2)In the application of subsection (1) above to facilities which constitute a harbour, the reference in that subsection to providing or maintaining facilities shall be construed as including a reference to improving or managing them.