STAFF raffle tickets are being sold at a struggling council HQ in an attempt to close a funding black hole of nearly £7million for the revamp of an art gallery.
It was announced earlier this week that the reopening of the art gallery in Aberdeen has been delayed for at least a year.
Council chiefs conceded visitors will not get the chance to see the results of a £30million redevelopment of the gallery, Cowdray Hall and the Remembrance Hall until "late 2018 or early 2019".
The council has pledged to pay £10million towards the project, with that sum matched by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
But the council's search for private sector donations to cover the remaining third has only netted around £3.3million so far.
And now its own employees are trying to drum up more of the cash by offering raffle tickets for £2.
It is not known what prizes are on offer or how much the scheme has raised but it is understood that the raffle was organised by staff themselves.
A report to the finance committee on December 1 is expected to provide further details on the delay and potential budget implications.
It is expected costs are set to rise due to the cost of storing artworks not on display elsewhere.
City council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said that the council staff members should be congratulated for coming up with the idea to sell raffle tickets.
He said: "This raffle was organised by staff themselves so I think we need to congratulate them if anything.
"A member of staff at Aberdeen City Council had the idea and initiative to have a raffle to raise funds for the art gallery.
"I think it is fantastic they we have staff members that care about our fundraising efforts and are willing to help.
"The SNP opposition should put politics aside occasionally, stop criticising our own staff and officers and get behind some of the initiatives proposed."
Opposition SNP finance spokesman Alex Nicoll said: "With nearly £7 million still to be raised towards the Art Gallery redevelopment you'd think the council would be looking for ways to leverage significant sums of money.
"Instead hard-pressed staff are being asked to buy raffle tickets."
Culture spokeswoman Marie Boulton said the project was important for the city.
She said: "Current indications are that the contractor will conclude work on site in the first quarter of 2018.
"This is an important project for Aberdeen and it is imperative that what will be a lasting legacy for the city is completed to exacting standards."
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