Town councillors question £50k cost of statue plan

The estimated £50,000 cost of moving and restoring a landmark statue in Scarborough "needs more scrutiny", one the town's councillors has said.

North Yorkshire Council has proposed relocating the statue of Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers, which has faced the North Sea for 15 years, due to concerns about weathering and deterioration.

It had asked Scarborough Town Council for a "goodwill gesture" of £10,000 towards the operation.

Town councillors voted on Tuesday to defer a decision backing the project while they sought more information.

Sculptor Ray Lonsdale's work depicts a friend of the artist, a former soldier who participated in the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, sitting on a bench in his old age.

The proposed move would see the artwork relocated from the North Bay seafront to a more sheltered place 200m (656ft) away on Royal Albert Drive.

It was originally set to stay in the North Bay for only a month in 2011.

However, it was made a permanent feature thanks to a local campaign led by Jakki Wilby, a donation made by Maureen Robinson, who purchased the sculpture and gifted it to the town, and the work of the Civic Society, which has managed and maintained the work since.

Under the plan for the move, Scarborough Town Council could take ownership and management responsibility for the landmark, with annual maintenance costs expected to be around £30.

Town mayor Thomas Murray, of Reform UK, described the statue as an important part of the Scarborough's heritage and a powerful reminder of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

He said: "Freddie is more than a sculpture. He's a talking point, an educational opportunity and a piece of living history."

But other councillors questioned the costs involved, with deputy mayor Sarah Mason, also of Reform UK, saying she felt like the council was "being held over a barrel".

She said: "I don't understand why this costs £50,000, and I won't believe North Yorkshire Council when they say, 'trust me on this.'

"Of course it should be preserved. I think it needs more scrutiny."

The estimated cost of restoring the sculpture is said to be about £30,000, with the remaining £20,000 linked to relocation and installation works, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Town councillor William Stewart described the situation as having a "sword of Damocles hanging over Freddie", while councillor Rich Maw suggested there should be a public consultation on whether a move was necessary.

He said: "I would be supportive of the restoration. I'm just questioning whether or not enough time has been given to decide where he ultimately rests."

Councillors voted to defer decisions on accepting ownership of the sculpture and authorising its transfer while seeking further information on costs, liabilities and alternative options.

They also voted unanimously on contributing 20% of the restoration costs only if North Yorkshire Council will not fully fund the repairs itself.

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