Cash-strapped councils could be forced to sell art and museum treasures to fund care for older people, the LGA has warned. Council leaders used the LGA's annual culture conference in Liverpool last week to publish controversial new guidelines for the disposal of valuable antiquities or art collections to private buyers. The pamphlet, Unlocking local treasure, investigates ways for councils to either make the most of their collections or dispose of them to raise money. At present, around nine in 10 potential exhibits are not on display, due to a lack of space, so it advises selling off artefacts ‘that will never see the light of day'. Other options include more items being loaned out and Web-based collections. A recent high-profile, controversial case of disposal came when a council auctioned an LS Lowry painting to help balance its books. Cllr Chris White, chair of the LGA's culture, tourism and sport board, said: ‘Councils need to consider selling items very carefully, as it will involve treading a fine line between professional ethics, those in the local area who are concerned about the council selling off the family silver, and extreme financial pressures which are occasionally a natural part of government.'
