An Aberdeen arts group has been warned against using taxpayers’ money to wage a “propaganda war” in the battle over the future of the city centre.
Councillors yesterday handed a financial lifeline to Peacock Visual Arts to keep alive its vision of building a £13million centre in Union Terrace Gardens.
The local authority is to continue providing the vital £1,500-a-month funding for Peacock’s fundraising team until the end of May.
The move comes as the group’s plans remain in the balance while the public consultation continues into Sir Ian Wood’s vision of creating a £140million civic square on the site of the gardens.
Finance committee members were yesterday keen to ensure the funding was not used to fuel what has become an increasingly bitter “spat” between the supporters of the two schemes.
Committee convener Kevin Stewart said: “I want to ensure the money we are putting into fundraising is actually going into that.
“There’s a lot of talk about money being used for other purposes.
“Any public money should not be used in any way to go towards the current propaganda war between Peacock and the City Square.
“The propaganda war is not very pleasant and we have got to ensure our money is not being used for that.”
It is believed some senior councillors wanted to stop the funding, which comes from a £3million grant approved in 2008.
A spokeswoman for Peacock last night welcomed the committee’s decision.
“We are all extremely relieved that Aberdeen City Council has continued our access to the capital grant we were awarded in 2008,” she said.
“We understand elected members’ concern for the use of public funds and can reassure the citizens of Aberdeen that this funding is being used for its original purpose.”
The local authority also gives £200,000 a year to development body Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef), which is running the City Square Project campaign.