Bournemouth council leader questions £54,000 clifftop sculpture
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 18:32 · Archive
The leader of Bournemouth council has described a £54,000 clifftop art installation as 'not my cup of tea'.
A £54,000 sculpture called Lean Into the Wind was unveiled on Bournemouth's West Cliff last month as part of a government-funded Coastal Public Art and Heritage Trail. The installation has prompted backlash from residents questioning its cost. It was developed with input from schoolchildren and community groups and was designed to reflect the town's coastline and identity, with the trail aiming to encourage visitors to explore the area's heritage.
At a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council overview and scrutiny board meeting, councillor Gavin Wright questioned whether the authority was also seeking funding for frontline services. He asked: 'Are we perusing and searching for grants that we can get from central government that could be used in these areas where we are struggling, like SEND and adult social care?'
Council leader Millie Earl said the sculpture was 'not my cup of tea', but explained that the government had specifically allocated the money for it. She stated: 'Some of the grants we get from central government are because central government wants to meet an aim nationally and they are not something we as a council have an ambition to do.' She added that officers were always seeking funding for other priorities.
How it is being reported
- Council leader says cliff sculpture 'not my cup of tea'The Lean Into the Wind installation was unveiled on Bournemouth's West Cliff last month.BBC Dorset · 21 Oct, 18:07
- £54,000 Bournemouth clifftop statue ‘not my cup of tea’ admits BCP Council leaderA controversial £54,000 clifftop art sculpture is 'not my cup of tea' the leader of BCP Council has admitted.Bournemouth Echo · 21 Oct, 00:00
In this story: Millie Earl · Gavin Wright · BCP Council · Bournemouth
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