THE family of Brian Hatton, one of the county's greatest artists, could finally be given a say in what happens to the works he left behind - five years after the gallery gifted to the county in his name was controversially closed by Herefordshire Council.

Councillors sitting on the community services scrutiny committee were told that the council had a "moral and civic responsibility" to repair the damage done to the Hatton family by the closure of the gallery and subsequent storage of the works out of public view.

Members agreed that offering the family a place on the charity trust set up to care for the paintings was one way to make amends. Herefordshire Council is currently the sole trustee of the charity, set up in 2003.

The Hatton Collection - about 900 exhibits ranging from paintings to papers and sketches - and the associated gallery annexed to the former Churchill House Museum on Aylestone Hill was bequeathed to the county in the 1970s by the late Marjorie Hatton, Brian's sister, who made his legacy and its permanent display her life's work.

Born in Broomy Hill, Brian Hatton had barely begun to fulfil the potential that put him among the finest painters of his generation before he died during the First World War, aged 28.

Both the gallery and Churchill House Museum were closed in 2002, despite a spirited campaign to keep them open, because the council claimed they were no longer cost effective as attractions.

The Hatton Collection went into storage at Hereford's Broad Street Museum, with some works coming out for occasional show.

All the works will soon be relocated to the Museum Resource and Learning Centre in Friars Street, Hereford, and the council is also applying for lottery funding to put the complete collection online. A major Hatton exhibition is planned for late next year.

But Hatton supporters have long said that at least one of the family should sit on the Trust responsible for keeping the collection.

Committee members could not see any reason why a Hatton was not able to be a trustee or at least serve in an advisory role.

Committee chairman Councillor Chris Chappell recommended a review of the role of the Hatton family in caring for the collection. The recommendation was agreed at a vote and will be passed on to the cabinet member for community services, Councillor Roy Stockton, for consideration.

l HEREFORDSHIRE Council has no clear long-term plan for the future of Churchill House, the community service scrutiny committee heard.

Members were told that the site was blighted by graffiti, vandalism and overall deterioration.

Churchill House is currently leased to the Herefordshire College of Art and Design (HCAD), with the majority of the income covering maintenance and repair of the house and its surrounds.

Councillor Alan Williams feared the site could be sold by the council as it looked to cut back on its properties. Councillor Mike Wilson, cabinet member for resources, said that Churchill House would be "looked at" with this in mind - as would all council properties.

Committee chairman councillor Chris Chappell asked for Churchill House to be considered as a specific case. He wanted clarification on who had the overall responsibility for cleaning up the site.