Cultural vandalism’
Tory councillors have slated their SNP counterparts for allowing the Smith to be placed in potential jeopardy among the budget options, calling it“cultural vandalism”.
While council leader Scott Farmer has stressed none of the budget proposals are cast in tablets of stone, the SNP group, which currently runs the council in joint administration with Labour councillors, had previously asked that options they had traditionally found unpalatable or would be politically unacceptable to them be removed from the budget consultation document at an early stage.
The Tories say the fact the cuts to the Smith remain in the options is“appalling”.
Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny said:“In all the years I sat as finance convenor nobody would have dared to bring forward a proposal so damaging and idiotic. I would sooner cut my arm off than vote for a budget that contained a proposal to cut all funding to the Stirling Smith.
“This shows that Scott Farmer and his SNP colleagues have truly lost their grasp of reality. Whether it goes ahead or not, by putting this on the table Councillor Farmer has lost all moral authority and should be ashamed of himself.”
Fellow Tory, Stirling MP Stephen Kerr meanwhile has lodged an early day motion at Westminster over the funding cuts asking the Parliament to call on the SNP-led administration to withdraw it immediately and describing it as“cultural vandalism”.
The motion also asks MPs to acknowledge the Smith as the main museum and art gallery in Stirling and note its contribution as a“significant cultural asset which in itself attracts over 40,000 visitors each year”.
Mr Kerr said:“I feel very strongly about this. The Smith Museum is an integral part of Stirling’s identity and an invaluable institution. Allowing this proposal to come forward is pure folly.”
Mid Scotland and Fife regional MSP Dean Lockhart added:“The Smith is an integral part of Stirling’s cultural heritage and provides locals and tourists with a centre for learning about the history of such an important area to Scotland’s national story.
“Generations of residents have cherished this wonderful institution and these proposals should not see the light of day. I am genuinely shocked that the council administration could even contemplate putting forward such a damaging proposal, at a time when Stirling will see substantial investment from the City Deal.”
Councillor Farmer, however, hit back at the Tories’comments saying they“stunk of hypocrisy”.
He told the Observer:“The current form of Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) is an old system that was introduced by the previous Tory coalition administration on Stirling Council – and one that Neil Benny still champions, calling for its retention at the latest meeting of the council. Our local budgets will not be done in this way in future.
“This is not a proposal to cut funding from the Smith Museum, this is a speculative option for the PBB system put forward by council officers. Stirling residents have the opportunity to contribute to this decision making process until February 5, however it is important to note that nobody is suggesting a funding cut to the Smith Museum in the next financial year.
“In the years of Councillor Benny being in charge of putting forward budget options, unpalatable proposals such as severely cutting music tuition and a 70 per cent cut to adult learning were needlessly brought forward every year.
“Mr Kerr would better spend his time calling for a reversal of the more-than £200 million cut to Scotland’s budget this year from the Tory Government in Westminster – which incidentally happens to be the same budget stream that funds venues such as the Smith.
“This is a very poor example of scaremongering to score political points and the Tories should be utterly ashamed of themselves.”