Hampshire taxpayers paid for art, but it’s never on display

They have spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ cash on 353 paintings and other works to decorate meeting rooms, corridors and reception areas.

Only one sculpture is currently on public display.

Critics have slammed the county council for spending taxpayers’ money on art that is mostly kept behind closed doors.

Christine Melsom, chairman of anti-council tax group IsItFair, said: “When people are struggling to pay their council tax bills, it is rubbing salt in the wound to discover the county is spending money on indulgences like original art works for offices.”

Liberal Democrat opposition spokesman for the arts Councillor Peter Chegwyn described the collection as “a shocking waste of public money”.

He said: “I don’t have a problem with the council investing in art but a lot more of the collection should be on public display in galleries, museums and libraries where people can see it. If taxpayers have paid for the art, it belongs to them.”

The council, which is planning to increase council tax to an average £1,037 per household from April, refused to give the estimated value of the collection, saying the information was not held.

However a Hampshire art expert says the collection could be worth hundreds of thousands if not millions of pounds.

The collection, which was started by former Tory council leader Freddie Emery-Wallis in 1989 to “enhance the working environment for staff and visitors”, includes important oil paintings by significant British artists: local scenes by Annabel Gault, skyscapes by Brendan Neiland, a Hampshire field by Robert Butler as well as smaller works by David Morgan and David Atkins.

Lymington-based auctioneer George Kidner said: “If the 353 works have been selected carefully, then it is a very significant collection. I can’t think of a private person who has that sort of collection unless they are very wealthy.

“If the council was spending at the rate of £2,000 or £3,000 pounds for each piece 20 years ago, the collection could be worth rather more – a seven-figure sum.”

Council leader Councillor Ken Thornber refused to comment. A council spokesman insisted the art is on display in public buildings and people could view specific items by making an appointment with the arts office on 01962 846966.