The Broadland District Council incurred a loss after selling giant wicker corgi sculptures, each costing £3,000, at a recent charity auction.
The council spent a total of £21,000 on seven sculptures to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and display them as part of an art trail. However, only four of the 6ft (1.8m) long and 4ft (1.2m) high statues sold for just over £500 each at the auction.
The sculptures, created in tribute to the late Queen’s beloved pet, were placed along the arts trail in Reedham, Thorpe St Andrew, Old Catton, Whitwell & Reepham Railway Station, Blickling Hall, Coltishall, and Little Plumstead.
Although the Conservative-led council had hoped to recoup some of the cost by selling the sculptures after the event, the low sale price has raised questions.
Liberal Democrat councillor Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou expressed her disappointment with the outcome of the sale, saying that the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
Despite this, the £2,140 raised from the sale of the four corgis has been donated to Nelson’s Journey, a charity for bereaved children.
One of the sculptures, named Susan after the Queen’s first corgi, has been gifted to King Charles and will be moving to the royal estate in Sandringham.
However, the council must still reveal its plans for the remaining two sculptures. The council declined to comment on the matter before a full council meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The sale of the Queen’s corgi sculptures has resulted in a significant loss for the Broadland District Council.
Despite the charitable donation from the sale, the low prices have sparked criticism from some members of the council who believe the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
The council must still address the issue and announce its plans for the remaining sculptures.
The auction’s outcome raises questions about the effectiveness of using public funds for large-scale art installations and the future sustainability of such projects.