Robert Kiddey was a sculptor, artist and teacher, born in Nottingham in 1900.
His work is visible across Nottinghamshire, including on Nottingham’s Council House and County Hall. Many of his works depict the working people of Nottinghamshire, including coalminers, metalworkers and agricultural labourers.
Kiddey moved to Newark in 1931 and, during his time there, produced many important pieces of work, including the Kiddey Stones, which comprise 12 pieces of stone forming four panels, each depicting a different aspect of electricity production.
Throughout September 2024, Newark and Sherwood District Council ran a survey to gather residents’ views on the future of these sculptures.
The Policy and Performance Improvement Committee (PPIC) provides a scrutiny function at the District Council and reviewed the Kiddey Stones survey prior to its launch to ensure it would produce robust results. At last night’s PPIC meeting, the results of this survey were presented and, following this, the Committee made some suggestions for Cabinet to consider when making its decision on the future of these sculptures.
The survey results presented to the PPIC showed that the survey received 881 responses, which demonstrates a significant level of engagement. 40.75% of respondents were overall in support of the proposals to install the Kiddey Stones on public display in Newark.
Councillor Mike Pringle, Chair of PPIC, said, “PPIC scrutinises the work of the District Council to ensure we are doing the very best for our residents. This survey was brought to us to ensure that it would yield results that were clear and accurate. Whenever a piece of work is brought to PPIC for review, we set up a working group made up of different Councillors from different political parties. Working groups meet to analyse information provided and hear from officers and Councillors across the District Council. After undertaking this exercise, we can make suggestions or recommendations for Cabinet to consider.
“In relation to the Kiddey Stones consultation working group, it met prior to the survey going live and was satisfied that the survey followed comparable consultation exercises and that the results would reflect residents’ views. The PPIC is not a decision-making body, nor will it predetermine any decision that Cabinet may make about the sculptures. However, following the presentation of the results at last night’s meeting, we have made some suggestions that Cabinet may like to consider when making that decision. These were to consider:
- Whether the proposed location is right.
- Whether a deed of gift for the Kiddey Stones has been considered.
- Whether alternative funding has been considered.
- Defining the final budget, including information on where the project is being funded from.
- Choosing not to install the Kiddey Stones.
“I was incredibly pleased to see a very detailed, fair and robust analysis of the survey presented to the PPIC last night. I look forward to seeing the outcome of this consultation process following the decision to be made by Cabinet.”
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