Calls to consider selling some valuable Council-owned art to raise money for the cash-strapped authority were officially ruled out at a meeting.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for culture at the Labour-led authority, dismissed Liberal Democrat and Tory suggestions made earlier this week that paintings or sculptures could be sold off.

She said: “It’s not for sale, isn’t our collection, and the minute you start to do that, nobody would give us anything ever again.

“We have to be responsible and safeguard what has been gifted to the city and is there for future generations of Bradfordians.”

Coun Hinchcliffe spoke out at a meeting of the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee, which was discussing the news that a valuation of five per cent of the Council’s art collection indicated it was worth far more than previously thought.

The meeting heard that the 195 items which had been revalued had been chosen because they were thought to be worth the most. They were valued at a total of £30.1 million.

The committee was told that overall, the Council’s total art and museum collection was now thought to be worth £38.8 million. Previously, it was insured for just £20 million.

Committee member Councillor Howard Middleton (Lib Dem) raised concerns over the number of artworks sitting in storage rather than being on display.

He said: “A lot are on public display and a lot are in Cartwright Hall, but a lot of them aren’t. A lot of them are in storage.”

Earlier this week, world-famous Bradford artist David Hockney reacted with dismay at Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland’s suggestion that Bradford Council should sell off its valuable artwork to fund frontline services. The idea had been supported by the Conservatives.

Yesterday, another Bradford artist added his opposition to the idea.

Painter Alan Hydes, who divides his time between his home in Apperley Bridge and Majorca, said he would be hugely opposed to any suggestion the Council’s artwork could be sold off.

He said he had been commissioned to produce a large painting for Cartwright Hall’s Centenary Exhibition a few years ago, and he would be “very unhappy” if they were to be sold off.

He said: “A permanent collection belongs to the people. It is their heritage and not to be sold off like the family silver.

“The Council is guardian of the work, it’s not there to plunder.”