CBSO park show is ‘vanity project’ that will waste £100,000
A£100,000 subsidised summer outdoor classical music concert in Sutton Park has been branded a costly ‘vanity project’ by opposition councillors.
The Conservative-run Royal Sutton Town Council agreed the subsidy for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Proms in the Park concert and festival on the weekend of July 1-2.
Sutton Coldfield residents and taxpayers will be able to buy tickets for a subsidised £10 for adults, with family and child concessions available.
But opposition councillors have questioned whether the six-figure subsidy is the best use of the newly formed council’s budget.
Independent Paul Long (Sutton Vesey) said: “This is an unnecessary expenditure and a waste of £100,000 of residents’ money when it could be self-funding. This whole proposal has been ill-thought through and seems to be a desperate attempt to spend money rather than spending it on something that will benefit all residents. It’s a vanity project.” And Labour’s Rob Pocock (Sutton Vesey) added that businesses should be approached for sponsorship.
He said: “£100,000, the entire budget to me is excessive. That’s extravagant. It takes away the opportunity to contribute to other events like the Boldmere Music Festival which struggles to find donations.”
Backers of the show stressed the full amount would only be used as a ‘worst case scenario’ were disappointing.
Conservative Simon Ward (Sutton Four Oaks) said: “It’s great we have been able to bring the CBSO.
“Classical music is not elitist, it’s just a different kind of music. It’s just been around for a bit longer. Nothing’s easy to deliver. We don’t want to have to spend £100,000 if we can find ways to reduce the costs but if we don’t set the money aside the event won’t be ready for July.”
And independent Claire Bennett (Sutton Trinity) argued the town council needs to do something spectacular to mark its first year and welcomed the £10 ticket price.
The festival will also include a free mini-orchestra CBSO show for children on Sunday and crafts and other events staged by local artists and performers.
Other projects the town council is planning is a free bike loan scheme for Sutton Park users, sprucing up road signs and landscaping, new play equipment in parks and free wi-fi for the town centre.
It has also allocated towards keeping Sutton Library open. if ticket sales
This is a waste of £100,000 of residents’ money Cllr Paul Long
£150,000 Coldfield