A decision by Dundee City Council to spend £15,000 showing the Scottish Last Night Of The Proms on a big screen in City Square when the authority is facing severe budget cuts has struck a sour note with opposition councillors.
The disharmony in the committee was triggered by a recommendation by chief executive David Dorward to spend the money to show the concert on a big screen to 2300 people.
Councillors Fraser Macpherson, Brian Gordon and Kevin Keenan slammed the proposal, with Councillor Macpherson saying he could not believe they were considering spending £15,000 with swingeing budget cuts on the horizon.
“We have to get a grip here and realise that we have financial challenges,” he said.
Councillor Macpherson argued all money in the general contingency fund should be used for the protection of vital services with the council having to make £15 million of savings in 2011-12.
The Caird Hall will host the Scottish finale of the flag-waving celebrations in September, and there has been in excess of 3500 applications for the 2000 free tickets available.
The city will host part of the annual classical music extravaganza’s finale, after Glasgow City Council said it would not stage its annual Proms in the Park event.
Dundee City Council chief executive David Dorward told the recess sub-committee the BBC have asked if they would be interested in staging an outdoor broadcast of the event.
Half seating and half standing would allow for up to 2300 tickets and the outdoor event will cost no more than £15,000 to put on and will be met from the council’s general contigency fund.
Councillor Kevin Keenan said he could see the argument for approval if not spending the money meant the Proms would not be staged in Dundee at all but it will go ahead regardless of a big screen event outside.
Councillor Brian Gordon said spending £15,000 from the contingency fund “beggars belief” in the financial climate.
Councillor Gordon said a better way would be to charge spectators to cover the cost. “If people are that desperate to go, they would pay,” he added.
However, Mr Dorward said the event inside the Caird Hall was free and it would seem “bizarre” if people outside had to pay.
Photo courtesy of Stewart Lloyd-Jones.