Walsall Council forked out £35,000 of taxpayer money on the corgi statues which have gone on display in Walsall Arboretum as it celebrates its 150th anniversary
Walsall Council has come under fire for splashing out a whopping £35,000 of public funds on two corgi statues to honour Queen Elizabeth II.
The stone sculptures have been unveiled at Walsall Arboretum as part of its 150th-anniversary celebrations, but the move has sparked outrage among locals who believe the money could have been better spent, especially as the council is looking to cut £20m from its budget this year.
With council tax up by 4.99%, residents are questioning the value of the 5ft long corgi statues, with many suggesting there are more pressing issues that need addressing.
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Tracey Wilkins, 55, from Blakenall, Walsall, commented: “I like them, but it’s a bit controversial, isn’t it? ” and added, “£35,000 the council spent on these sculptures. It could have just been better spent elsewhere.”
She highlighted concerns such as potholes, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, and failing high streets, saying, “There’s just better ways to spend £35,000 in Walsall.”
Daniel Taylor, 32, from Ryecroft, Walsall, said: “They’re nice, it looks like they did good work on them. I’m not really sure what they are for though.” He suggested that a plaque might help clarify their purpose.
Jonathan Edia, a researcher at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, criticised the expenditure, stating: “Local taxpayers are sick of pointless public artworks.” He acknowledged the good intentions behind the sculptures but pointed out that they offer no comfort to residents facing service cuts. He said: “Walsall Council should get its priorities in order”
Writing on Facebook another local resident commented: “I could perhaps understand a statue of the late Queen, but her dogs? Spending on anything like this when services are being cut is ridiculous.” Another asked: “Have they really not got anything better to spend people’s money on?”
Another added: “Could have put that money to animal shelters and rescues that full and not coping.”
However, some locals have praised the tribute to the late Queen and her beloved corgis as “beautiful”, suggesting it may draw visitors to the scenic arboretum.
Claire Williams, aged 43, from Walsall, remarked: “They’re lovely, aren’t they? Just look at them – they’re a bit big for regular corgis, but they’re amazing. I saw them when they were unveiled, they look really good.”
Jane Gough, 62, from Caldmore, Walsall, commented: “They’re great. It’s a great way to commemorate the late Queen. She loved corgis. She adored them. It’s such a nice way to remember her memory.”
The arboretum has historical significance for Her Majesty, with her first official Royal visit to Walsall taking place there in 1962. The leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Garry Perry, was present at the unveiling of the statues, which he described as a ‘real milestone’ for the community.
He stated during the event: “We’ve been planning this ever since the death of the late Queen and we wanted to have a fitting tribute to her life and her service to the country, and this is what came from that. She was very much a lover of her royal dogs and we felt that that lends itself well to our green spaces, particularly at the Arboretum.”
