I WAS surprised by the last-minute action of City of York Council in seeking to delay charges for admission at the art gallery.

This has marred what should have been a celebration of a magnificent addition to York’s cultural life.

It has been known for over a year that charges would have to be imposed in the absence of financial support by the council.

I strongly believe that entrance to art galleries should be free, but with £900,000 of £1.5 million being withdrawn since 2012, York Museums Trust has been left with no alternative but to impose charges.

The recent direct action was extremely upsetting for staff at the gallery and was gestural at best. It attacked the dedicated staff who had no part in the decision to introduce the charges.

Without financial support from the council, the charges will have to stay. Of course, local government has harsh decisions to make with the progressive withdrawal of funds from central government.

The central government cuts are the cause of this problem and should be the focus of any protest.

As a long-term Friend of York City Art Gallery and local resident, I hope this situation can be resolved soon.

Peter Miller, St Oswald’s Road, York

 

PERHAPS the most disturbing aspect of the decision to impose charges for access to York Art Gallery is the delay in announcing what must have been decided some time ago.

The Trust is committed to transparency and seeking involvement with York residents, yet in the crucial matter of entry charges, decisions have been taken with what appears to be immoderate haste.

Full marks to the elected members who have decided the question should be investigated and considered with appropriate care.

Some months ago, I contacted the council with a request to see the 2012 Partnership Funding Agreement, that is to say what commitment the council had made on behalf of York residents, and what the trustees would promise to provide in return.

I was put off time and time again, until it was finally asserted that our council held no such document. The Trust, which (one hopes) does hold a copy of this essential document, displayed no eagerness to supply me with a copy. Nevertheless, I now have a copy.

I cannot see that the “vision” of the Trust could possibly be realised if charges are levied. The two are incompatible.

Possibly charges are inevitable, but could we please have no more guesswork until the full facts are in the public domain?

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York

 

YORK Museums Trust appealing to local residents for support is akin to asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.

This York resident has no trust in the Trust and will support any proposal to dismantle it and replace it with a new organisation under new management.

Matthew Laverack, Lord Mayors Walk, York

 

I READ with interest the current controversy over the proposed charge for local residents to visit the newly refurbished City Art Gallery. In particular, the vocal objections spearheaded by York’s Labour and Green councillors.

Is it not ironic that it was the previous Labour administration that processed the grant cuts prior to leaving office?

Actions which left the York Museum Trust no choice but to impose this charge.

Although it’s disappointing to cut back on cultural engagement, we live in difficult times and the council’s priorities must remain frontline services and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.

Cllr Stuart Rawlings, Deputy leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr for Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, Huntington Road, York

 

AMID all the controversy about charges to the art gallery, has anyone noticed that the new York Card, valid from August 1, apparently no longer allows free admission to the Yorkshire Museum?

Another retrograde decision by the York Museums Trust.

Brian Knowlman, Poppleton, York