The collection of more than 11,000 paintings owned by Leeds council is insured for £100m a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
Conservative Home write:
Last month I noted that the Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, Hilary Benn, had attacked the Government’s advice to councils on 50 Ways to Save.
Mr Benn’s complaint was that, included in the suggestions, was one about council’s art collections and whether revenue could be obtained by art leasing. He thought this was an absurdly trivial matter.
But are the sums involved really so derisory? Let us take the example of Mr Benn’s own council: Labour-run Leeds. In response to a Freedom of Information request they tell me they own 11,904 paintings, drawings and prints and 1,882 sculptures.