Lib Dems Say ‘No’ to Art Gallery for Somerset (13/01/03)

At an extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee of the County Council, the Lib Dems refused to postpone the decision to sell the Hunt’s Court building in Taunton to allow time for it to be saved for Somerset.

The room was full to bursting with members of the public pleading for the recently formed Arts Trust to have time to assemble proposals for buying the building and transforming it into an Art Gallery.Hunts Court was built in 1907 as an Art School.

The Conservative Group support this request.Conservatives explained to the meeting that the sale of Hunt’s Court would not detract money away from key services.The question was simply about allowing the sale to be postponed.

Christopher Wolverson, leader of the Conservative Group, said, ‘This was a unique opportunity.I find it bizarre that Liberal Democrats, who bombard us with consultation, are not prepared to listen to the public.There is a clear lack of leadership and vision on their part.It is a sad day for Taunton and a sad day for Somerset.

‘The role of the Scrutiny Committee must be examined.The current system whereby members of the Liberal Democrat Group scrutinise their own Party’s decisions, and then vote en bloc, is ridiculous.It makes a mockery of the democratic process.This incident proves that under the current Liberal Democrat dictatorship at County Hall, democracy is dead and the views of the public go unheard.

‘The County Council should be leading the drive rather than thwarting the endeavours of those fighting to establish an art gallery for Somerset.'