£200,000 fibreglass toads project scrapped
City council leader Carl Minns today scrapped plans to spend £200,000 worth of taxpayers' money on 100 fibreglass toads.
The move came after widespread public criticism of council support for the project to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of poet Philip Larkin.
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Carl Minns
The funding was initially agreed in an officer decision record without going before any council committee.
Cllr Minns said: "I do not think this is a suitable use for council money and I have rescinded the decision."
He said he still supported the idea of commemorating the anniversary of the former Hull University librarian's death with a festival.
But he added: "I cannot justify allocating this amount of money for the model toads project."
Cllr Minns said festival organisers remained confident of securing the necessary funding for the proposed £290,000 Plague of Toads project, which aims to mark two of Larkin's poems which feature the amphibian.
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by Brighton Bell, Brighton & Hove
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:13PM
“Was in 'ull 3 weeks ago, could be better to repair the pot holes, Toad in the hole anyone?
Well its so funny i almost croked......”
by Steffan Kuntz, east jorvikshire
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:08PM
“Carl - Simply stating that LIB DEMS are worse than LABOUR does little to add to the argument other than to give the impression that LABOUR supporters don't have the slightest CLUE why they are who they are.
Perhaps you suffer from amnesia or are too young to remember the good old days of LABOUR.
I know a lot of people in Hull operate with the idea that LIB DEMS are bad because they don't hate homosexuals and foreigners. But they want to decriminalise weed which is better than any of the fascist parties you might prefer (including Labour and their irrepresible hero of fear-freaks Alan Johnson) and that means you can smoke your dirty reso in peace without the feds or social bothering you.”
by Phil, Hull
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 4:43PM
“Minns is a LIAR, the Lib Dems are not allowed to breath without his sayso, first he tries to blame the officers then Cllr Welton, can't wait for his next leaflet, he'll blame the none existant Labours Guilhall bosses, 4 wasted years shame on you Minns.”
by Arthur, Ezzle Road, Ull
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:04PM
“P.S. In case any of the regulars think I have flipped and now support the LibDems, this is just one good decision, but being a true democrat, I will always applaud and back any politicain who behaves democratically instead of lording around like feudal barons spitting on us peasants like most politicians do.
I'm still intending to vote UKIP or BNP, but I am man enough to give anyone credit for a good decision.”
by Arthur, Ezzle Road, Ull
Monday, March 15 2010, 9:55PM
“Well done Councillor Minns, that's democracy in action and what a refreshing change. You have certainly given the LibDems a lot of credibility, and I bet if Labour were still in power this would have gone thgrough on the nod and on the quiet.
If only national politicians would listen to the people more and ignore whining vested interests like the arty-farty set who always want public money wasting on something ponsy. Art is essential, as is good design, but to waste £200,000 on utter rubbish was a stuipd idea. Whoever thought of it has dropped the council in it with their masters, we, the people, so sort 'em out Mr Minns. Good on yer!!”