Fury at £483k budget for Quantum Leap
The cost of building Shrewsbury's Quantum Leap statue as a lasting memorial to Charles Darwin has risen by a further £33,000, it was revealed today.
The cost of building Shrewsbury's Quantum Leap statue as a lasting memorial to Charles Darwin has risen by a further £33,000, it was revealed today.
Shropshire Council announced this summer the budget had risen to £450,000. However, George Candler, the council's assistant director of culture and leisure services, today confirmed that the project budget now stood at £483,000.
He said that included £120,000 in external funds from Arts Council England and Natural England.
The project also received "in kind" support from Aggregate Industries, which designed, manufactured and delivered the 31 ribs which form the Quantum Leap arch free of charge, resulting in a project cost saving of £150,000.
Donations had also been received via members of the Public Art Partnership.
But Councillor Jon Tandy, who represents the Bayston Hill, Column and Sutton division, today described the figures as "scandalous".
He said: "This may well be the biggest council scandal of the past decade. The figures are unbelievable.
"The project budget stood at £200,000 in December 2007. That has spiralled to £483,000.
"It is monumental. The more you unearth, the more amazing it becomes. I'm continuing to investigate this and have bundles of documents to sift through."
But Councillor Steve Charmley, the authority's portfolio holder for culture and leisure services, defended the project.
He said: "We are delighted and extremely proud of the Darwin Memorial Geo Garden and Quantum Leap sculpture.
"From the outset, the intention of this project was to create a lasting legacy for the bicentennial celebrations. Quantum Leap is the physical embodiment of these ambitions and sends a clear message that Shrewsbury and Shropshire are outward looking and forward thinking.
"The Darwin Memorial Geo Garden and Quantum Leap sculpture project is just one of the many exciting de- velopments in recent times."
Council spokeswoman Maria Jones said the £483,000 budget comprised £263,000 from Shrewsbury and Atcham Council to Alun Griffiths Ltd, £100,000 from Shropshire Council, £50,000 from Arts Council England and £70,000 from Natural England.
Comments for: "Fury at £483k budget for Quantum Leap"
Andrew finch
I think in the UK now, people have given up compalining with regards to waste of money, which is what this rubbish is.As with mp expenses yes right ok, we will probably find out next the queen gets tax credits.
Shropsman
Can someone please explain to me how the cost of this thing / memorial / item of beauty / waste of taxpayers money - delete as appropriate depending on view, can possibly have cost the people of Shrewsbury £483,000 when the major part of it, the ribs, were effectively donated free by a local firm ??????
Where's the Shrewsbury Residents mob's fury over this then ????
merc
Spinning harder than a weaver just to produce the same old flannel. Anyone at Frankwell Towers prepared to fall on their sword?........thought not. Right, get the chopping block out.
diana
absolutely disgusting
get into the real world
what a waste of money
no money for roads shcols and hospitals
lets not pay our council tax
then see what happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Richard Breeze
This whole episode is clear evidence of the quality of staff that the Council employ.
The original estimated cost was £350,000, it has now gone to £483,000 add to that the "in kind" support that the project received of £150,000 which would have taken the total cost to £633,000.
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING PEOPLE NEED SACKING, this is TAX PAYERS money that is being wasted.
The Council high and mighty do not care it is not out of their pockets, they make me sick, they cannot even plan and manage the building of a simple structure, surely if the contract was awarded then that is what should have been paid, any extra and the contractor stands the cost.
WAKE UP COUNCILLORS, AND MANAGERS BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO RESIGN.
Simon Parton
The question is ... Why?
a man
What a surprise where will it end???....why do the council feel it is ok to spend this ammount of public money on something no one in shrewsbury wants.the money would have better invested into schools or the royal shrewsbury hospital not stupid sculptures of rubbish designs in the smallest patch of grass in the county!!
John Smith
I still think that money could have been used for something far more productive and useful and still have been dedicated to Mr Darwin rather than to build the giant slinky.
Norman
Forgive me for being pinnickity but 'Alun' is hardly English is it?
twisting my melon
The column cost £6000.00 to build in 1914-1916 which would have been an equivilant amount to quantum leap. Shrewsbury has also recently been graced with a brand new football stadium, and a brand new theatre.
All that happens is the population moan constantly about anything that may improve the status of the county town and moan about what else the money could have been spent on. Do you honestly think that this money would otherwise be spent on education, hospitals or public transport then your all sadly mistaken as it would have been spent on a nice big meeting table and some artwork for the new council offices..
Like it or not the Quantum leap is here to stay so get over it. And just for the record i quite like it..
Andrew finch
I hope it is here to stay as they have wasted the money on it now. And yes I think everyone is aware the money would not have been spent any where else however that should not stop them from moaning, as the above person puts it it.
As tax payers it is their right to moan about a group of self opinionated oiks having a say over how and what the money is spent on . As for improving the town a very middle class view that one.
spencer
Hey Andrew, accusing the entire population of whitchurch of being a load of " pot noodle munchers " may also come accross as being a little middle classed don't you think.
Whitchurch Resident
ref 12,
I totally agree with some of whitchurch being 'fast food' addicts. Not all though. Then again the council wanted to put a 16th fast food takeaway in whitchurch this time last year.
Any you keep rejecting other supermarkets.
Leanne
IT's a block of concrete! Why has that cost so much!?
Its disgusting!
Y Mab Darogan
You cannot place a value on a work of art. People should appreciate the art involved in the structure and not complain about how much it coast. I mean how likely would this money be spent on the population of Shrewsbury?
Not very likely
so far better for it to be invested in a work of art which generations can enjoy