A sale of more than 360 pieces of art owned by Reform-led Kent County Council (KCC) shows “utter contempt” for local history, claims the Green Party.
Green county councillor Stuart Jeffery said the collection of paintings, drawings, lithographs and prints should be “treasured” for the public good.
A Conservative back bencher said Reform would sell anything “that isn’t bolted down to make ends meet”.
But KCC says that despite the disposal, the authority still holds nearly 1,200 pieces in its art collection.
The works – which have an estimated combined value of up to £80,000 – are mostly by British artists such as Edward Bawden, Robert Tavener and Edwin La Dell.
Most of the pieces are valued at a few hundred pounds, although one by Tavener is listed at £2,000 to £3,000.
They are being sold by Essex-based auction house Sworders to online bidders before going to the sale room on Tuesday, March 10.
In a statement, Kent Greens said: “Kent Greens are deeply concerned to see these works of art being put up for auction by KCC.
“While the total financial value of the art is relatively small, the historic and social value of the art, most of which depicts Kent, is far higher.”
Cllr Jeffery said: “This move by Reform UK-run KCC not only demonstrates their fears about their own budget, it shows utter contempt for the history of our great county and comes just a few days after they threatened to pull funding from the Turner Gallery.
“The art depicts historic scenes from around the county and provides an excellent insight into Kent life.
“This art should be treasured and put on display for the public good rather than being sold off to private collectors never to be seen again.”
Tory Cllr Sarah Hudson said: “It is a shame that the Reform administration seems hellbent on selling anything that isn’t bolted down to make ends meet.
“Proper fiscal management is needed, not selling the family silver.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
A KCC statement said: “The KCC art collection scheduled for auction on Tuesday, March 10, includes 367 pieces, the value of which being between £50,740 and £79,880.
“There are 1,178 pieces of art which remain or are currently in the KCC art collection.”
Last July, KCC sold 350 pieces of work, including lithographs and linocuts, because they did “not represent any official historic value but are nonetheless interesting”.
The images of Kent landmarks in Tenterden, Maidstone, Ivychurch and Canterbury eventually realised around £40,000 at auction.
