Jan 2009 28

More public money for gallery?3

The Express & Star website is already reporting today that The Public arts centre in West Bromwich could be fed up to another £3million, despite the fact we have no confirmation as to when (and if!) the main gallery will open. The public

The national Arts Council met yesterday to decide whether funding should be increased or axed entirely, and a decision was expected today. This first report from West Bromwich’s local paper  (the full story is not yet online) suggests that taxpayers’ have been dealt a blow, with yet another huge cash injection going to fund the colossal white elephant. We can only assume that our public bodies are now committed to seeing this project out come what may, and no matter how much more of our money it takes.

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  • Hardeep Singh

    Can’t we even rely on our dear beloved hoodies to burn this place down. It seems the recession has hit so hard even our tearaways are having to cut down on their activity! :) -
    Come on surely there has to be some attempt to at least throw some paint at this ‘place’ and if they get caught “Well your honour it was an act of art, simply expressing oneself”.
    Campaign outside this building so say businesses are being beaten to death yet this place is getting all the cash. If it goes into projects like these then it must be sacrificed elsewhere, best to tell the local businesses that and let them form their own opinions.

  • http://properpolicing.org.uk Mike Cross

    This community lacks even a swimming pool and cinema. £68 million would have provided both as a large leisure centre to get the kids off the street & give all the residents the opportunity to get fit & happy etc, etc
    Just watched Slum Dog Millionaire in our cinema (80 mile round trip) an uplifting and frightening story about really disadvantaged kids being exploited but surviving. Whilst on that subject of disadvantaged people I know elderly poor who get fit and have a hot shower in their leisure centre partly because they can’t afford the heat or even the WATER at home

  • ALAN NUGENT

    I would like to draw your attention to the on-line petition which I have started, regarding The Public Arts Centre, on the Prime Ministers website at No. 10 Downing Street:
    http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/thepublic/
    There has been so much debate about The Public that I feel everyone should have the opportunity of making their voice heard and giving expression to their frustration in a positive way. And it is not just local people that feel this way; an architect’s website has judged it as one of the most staggeringly misconceived projects they had witnessed.
    I am therefore petitioning the Prime Minister to launch a Public Inquiry into The Public Arts Centre in West Bromwich. I am appalled at the waste of National Lottery, Central Government and Sandwell Council funds on The Public Arts Centre which has so far cost £63 million, is still not fully open and is likely to require yet more funding.
    The Public Inquiry should seek to establish what went wrong and to prevent this waste of public funds happening again.
    I know that there have been repeated calls for spending on the The Public to cease immediately. Whilst agreeing with that sentiment; a proper inquiry should take place; it is not enough just to close the doors of The Public and simply walk away. First of all, exactly what has £63 Million been spent on? Has this money been well spent? Are there any lessons to be learned in the future use of National Lottery funds?
    So everyone who pays tax in any form; buys lottery tickets; can think of better uses for £63 million, well here is your chance to express your feelings against The Public by signing the petition for a Public Inquiry at:
    http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/thepublic/