FORMER Culture Company director Robyn Archer worked in Liverpool for just four months in nearly two years that she was employed in the £150,000 role.
FORMER Culture Company director Robyn Archer worked in Liverpool for just four months in nearly two years that she was employed in the £150,000 role.
Despite being the woman charged with drawing up the programme of events for the Capital of Culture celebrations, the Australian spent less than a quarter of her 22-month tenure in the city.
It works out to an estimated £2,300 for every day she was based in Liverpool.
Ms Archer was forced to resign from the prestigious post last month after a series of crisis talks about her role in the city's 08 celebrations and growing concern about the lack of time she spent in the city.
Information obtained by the Daily Post under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that, since September 9, 2004, she totted up just 97 working days in Liverpool.
But the Liverpool Culture Company refused to disclose exactly how much she received in consultancy fees and expenses on top of her salary. Last night, Labour culture spokesman Steve Rotheram called for officials to reveal exactly how much she has cost the city.
He added: "It would be impossible to immerse yourself in the culture of a new city in just 97 days.
"How can anyone know what a city needs in such a short time? And how would they also fit in time to work with local cultural institutions and the wider community?
"It would take someone from Liverpool that long to work out what each part of the community wanted.
"I think some footballers would be happy with the wage she earned for the amount of time she spent here."
The Culture Company always insisted Ms Archer did not have to be based in the city to carry out her role.
As artistic director of a European event, and one which is hoped to attract international audiences and acclaim, they explained that she had to travel the world making contacts and securing events and performers.
But many were unhappy that the amount of time she spent overseas was greater than that based in the city she was employed by.
Andrew Pearce is chairman of Liverpool Heritage Forum which represents more than 60 arts and heritage societies and helped to launch the culture company's 07 programme last month.
He said: "A lot of people are glad to see the back of her.
"We want this to be led by people here in the city. This is not just a great gig for anybody to swoop in on, this is about the city that we are so proud of."
Despite the Culture Company losing one of its key employees just 18 months before the celebrations begin, it insists its preparations are well on track.
Last night, chief executive Jason Harborow said 250 events were now on the 08 programme, although not all of those had been finalised. He said: "I feel we are working better together than we ever have done. We know where the gaps are, we know what the programme is, we know what the focus is.
"We have almost all areas for the programme covered. I don't want to just parachute in pieces.
"There are still some areas that need work. There are lots of popular events on the programme, there is something for everybody.
"But we still need more critically-acclaimed international work. Those discussions are under way. We are also working on one or two big public events, that will catch attention nationally. We want something like Mathew Street that will create a buzz.
"For 20/08 day we already have 150 offers on the table.
"A lot of work is being done on the period between January and March and the time between the Biennial and December.
"If it starts badly and ends in a fizzle we will be judged on that so we want to get it right."
Despite being the woman charged with drawing up the programme of events for the Capital of Culture celebrations, the Australian spent less than a quarter of her 22-month tenure in the city.
It works out to an estimated £2,300 for every day she was based in Liverpool.
Ms Archer was forced to resign from the prestigious post last month after a series of crisis talks about her role in the city's 08 celebrations and growing concern about the lack of time she spent in the city.
Information obtained by the Daily Post under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that, since September 9, 2004, she totted up just 97 working days in Liverpool.
But the Liverpool Culture Company refused to disclose exactly how much she received in consultancy fees and expenses on top of her salary. Last night, Labour culture spokesman Steve Rotheram called for officials to reveal exactly how much she has cost the city.
He added: "It would be impossible to immerse yourself in the culture of a new city in just 97 days.
"How can anyone know what a city needs in such a short time? And how would they also fit in time to work with local cultural institutions and the wider community?
"It would take someone from Liverpool that long to work out what each part of the community wanted.
"I think some footballers would be happy with the wage she earned for the amount of time she spent here."
The Culture Company always insisted Ms Archer did not have to be based in the city to carry out her role.
As artistic director of a European event, and one which is hoped to attract international audiences and acclaim, they explained that she had to travel the world making contacts and securing events and performers.
But many were unhappy that the amount of time she spent overseas was greater than that based in the city she was employed by.
Andrew Pearce is chairman of Liverpool Heritage Forum which represents more than 60 arts and heritage societies and helped to launch the culture company's 07 programme last month.
He said: "A lot of people are glad to see the back of her.
"We want this to be led by people here in the city. This is not just a great gig for anybody to swoop in on, this is about the city that we are so proud of."
Despite the Culture Company losing one of its key employees just 18 months before the celebrations begin, it insists its preparations are well on track.
Last night, chief executive Jason Harborow said 250 events were now on the 08 programme, although not all of those had been finalised. He said: "I feel we are working better together than we ever have done. We know where the gaps are, we know what the programme is, we know what the focus is.
"We have almost all areas for the programme covered. I don't want to just parachute in pieces.
"There are still some areas that need work. There are lots of popular events on the programme, there is something for everybody.
"But we still need more critically-acclaimed international work. Those discussions are under way. We are also working on one or two big public events, that will catch attention nationally. We want something like Mathew Street that will create a buzz.
"For 20/08 day we already have 150 offers on the table.
"A lot of work is being done on the period between January and March and the time between the Biennial and December.
"If it starts badly and ends in a fizzle we will be judged on that so we want to get it right."
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