Arts Council christmas party spending criticised

October 15, 2010

The cost of the Arts Council Christmas party has been criticised by people in the Black Country who are angry at the quango's use of tax payer funds to back a controversial arts centre.

The Arts Council-backed West Bromwich venue known as The Public ran £49 million over budget during its construction. The Arts Council continued to plow public funds into the project - to a sum of £32 million - despite the architects going bust in 2004, with the unfinished venue itself following suit in 2006.

Once complete, in 2008, it was handed over to Sandwell Council which is now responsible for its maintenance. Local MP Tom Watson, has said it is disgusting that the quango can leave such a burden on the local tax payers, yet at the same time shell out £20,000 for a Christmas party.

Mr Watson tabled more than 150 questions in the Commons over the course of a year asking the Arts Council to explain itself over the project. He was finally heeded this month, but found that he did not get the answers from chief executive, Alan Davey, to the questions he was asking. Mr Davey also refused to apologise for the body's spending which, on top of the £20,000 Christmas party in 2008, saw £13,500 spent on a colour consultant during redecoration of its headquarters.

Public bodies are coming under increasing pressure to keep the costs of their festive celebrations in line with the cautious economic mood of the country.