Other cash will fund arts plan (mention)

5 November 2009

Hamilton City Council will find $20,000 from other areas of its budget to fund an art management plan after councillors objected to blowing almost half of its funding for public art on it.

The council voted seven to six last night not to use the public art fund for a report to look at where art in the city should be put and how it should be prioritised. The change in the plan means the $50,000 sitting in the public art fund can be spent on sourcing art.

But the decision to spend $20,000 on administration was deemed a waste of taxpayers' money by councillor Kay Gregory.

"I am really concerned about us spending $20,000 on another report. Sometimes we are just too precious about art in the city. We are always told we have art experts but it was an art expert that told us that 'pile of rubbish' was a winner."

Councillor Roger Hennebry said he couldn't see the point in employing any more experts. "If someone sees Riff Raff (statue) they might say say maybe that was a time we had riff raff on council," he said.

Councillor Angela O'Leary said the council should save itself money and tap into the incredible talent in the city.

Councillor Dave Macpherson labelled the report "wishy washy" and said the money could be better spent addressing other issues in the city.
However, councillor Peter Bos said the city should invest money in a solid plan.