Trust takes control of The Public
Wednesday 25th March 2009, 4:05PM GMT.
Controversial Black Country art gallery The Public was today set to pass into the control of a charitable trust – but only for a three month trial.
The decision-making cabinet of Sandwell Council was being asked to formally approve proposals at a meeting behind closed doors this afternoon that would see the West Bromwich gallery, which has cost £63 million, pass into the control of Sandwell Leisure Trust.
The trust put forward proposals outlining its plans to manage the New Street venue in conjunction with the council.
Details of what it plans to do with the venue to make it profitable have not been revealed.
But it emerged today the council will have the final say on the future of the venue after three months before a permanent contract is signed.
Sandwell Leisure Trust was set up in 2004 as a charitable company and operates nine leisure centres and a golf course.
Sandwell Council leader, Councillor Bill Thomas, said: “The council is working to secure the long-term future of The Public as an arts and community resource in the light of the Arts Council’s decision to make funding of up to £3 million available.
“We invited Sandwell Leisure Trust to consider managing it and have now received proposals from them which represent a significant step forward. Cabinet is being asked today to approve interim arrangements for the council and trust to manage The Public jointly over the three months from April 1.
“This will enable detailed discussions to take place on drawing up a viable business plan and finalising a formal contract for the trust to take over the running of The Public in the long-term.”
Paul Slater, chief executive of Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: “We are pleased to be working with the council to manage The Public and we look forward to it becoming a vibrant venue for arts activities, conferences and events which is used extensively by Sandwell people.”
The gallery is still not open or accepting paying customers despite the venue itself opening in June last year.
The original £38.3 million budget spiralled to £63 million.
Almost £30 million of that was ploughed in by the Arts Council, which then committed £1.5 million to the running costs of the gallery over a three year period.
The overall cost of the scheme would rise to £66 million if the Arts Council approves the latest business plan and donates a final £3 million before walking away from the project.
Meanwhile, taxpayers in Sandwell have so far footed £19.5 million of the total bill.
The Public Gallery Ltd, set up to run the gallery inside the building, went into administration in February.
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i am looking forward to finding another few millions heaped upon the already suffering council taxpayers of sandwell i have read today that a beer festival is being held at the public i hope the local councilors attend just get a few tips on how to organize a p— up in brewery make bob badham mc
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‘Meanwhile, taxpayers in Sandwell have so far footed £19.5 million of the total bill’
And the rest of the money appeared from thin air? No. The rest of the money was also ‘donated’ by the people of Sandwell and the rest of the UK. Into the black hole that is the Arts Council.
Yet more unnecessary spending.
And yet something of value and historic significance to the people of the Black Country (the caves under Wren’s nest, Dudley) get filled in with sand due to a lack of funds.
It’s ok, we can see it in ‘virtual reality’ which will no doubt be nothing compared to the real thing.
Just like all those people playing Wii tennis to get some exercise. A waste of time.
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So control of this white elephant that was foisted upon the council tax payers of the towns that make up ‘Sandwell’ and funded by them against their wishes is being passed to an unelected body.
Could this be being done so that when the ‘public’ goes belly up the councillors who will face election can try to absolve themselves from blame? Perish the thought.
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DEMOLISH THE CHUFFING THING !!!!
We will be talking about this dump for years to come UNTIL they have the balls to take the bull by the horn, cut their losses and demolish it…..it would be a cost SAVING excercise in the long run if it went
All of the councilors involved in this should clear their desk, sell their houses, sell off their pensions w(hich the Sandwell locals have contributed to) and put it all towards the debt !
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Don’t these fools ever learn, yet again more meeting behind closed doors!!!!!
You would think it was their money they were pouring down the drain, its time this corruption was stopped, again I will draw your attention to an online petition, calling for a Public Enquiry into this fiasco, see below.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to launch a Public Inquiry into every aspect of “The Public Arts Centre” project in West Bromwich. We are appalled at the waste of National Lottery, Central Government and Sandwell Council funds on “The Public Arts Centre” in West Bromwich which has so far cost £63 million, is still not fully open and is likely to require yet more funding
Submitted by ALAN NUGENT – Deadline to sign up by: 03 April 2009 – Signatures: 229
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/thepublic/
Remember don’t complain about being ripped off by this council if your not prepared to do anything about it.
Jim of Bearwood
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19.5 million pound found for this, yet Sandwell Council could not find £10,000 for the St Georges parade, something the people of Sandwell ACTUALLY wanted, roll on the elections, least we forget!!!
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Tipton Fox, if you want to make a few bob in the future, back Sandwell Labour Council and also this same Labour Government to win the next election.
Trust me they will win hands down, my reason for thinking this is based on the amount of comments published in these columns, clearly people have been treated appallingly by this council, and even worse by this government and what have people done about it, absolutely nothing!!!
The British people are renowned for one thing, they are gutless!!!
Its no secret that this country is fast becoming a clone of an Easter Europe / Asian country, and people sit on their hands waiting for someone else to do something about it.
Come the next election and people will still find excuses why they cant find time to cast their vote at the polling booth.
The favourite excuses are “ No point in voting, they are all the same” or “what’s the point in voting they don’t listen” well that’s probably because the British people say nothing, yes we moan to each other but we don’t vote to show we want to be noticed.
Jim of Bearwood
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7) Unfortunately, I fear you are right, my stock answer to people who moan about things such as this is “what are YOU prepared to do about it” , and yes, 9 times out of 10 their stock answer is “well what can you do” or the other favourite mantra of the apathetic “whats the point”, the thing is Jim if people like you and me keep highlighting these situations and agitating people, we may prick enough consciences that it might make a difference at the next elections. After all, to be complacent would to be complicit!
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