South Gloucestershire's much loved Grimsbury Farm saved from closure
A partner has been found to keep the local attraction open
A much-loved community farm is set to be saved after South Gloucestershire Council found a new operator to take it over.
Grimsbury Farm in Kingswood costs the cash-strapped local authority £260,000 a year, so a search was launched last February for a charitable or not-for-profit organisation to help run it.
Now council leaders have announced that a partner has been found to keep the local attraction open.
The news came as cross-party councillors on the scrutiny commission grilled cabinet members on South Gloucestershire Council’s proposed annual budget.
Cabinet member for corporate resources Cllr Adam Monk (Labour, Filton) told the meeting on Wednesday, January 28: “We have identified a partner but that’s embargoed at the moment.
“My understanding is the animals are staying because the organisation taking it on would want to retain them and the whole purpose of that was to retain them.
“It will definitely stay open. That’s the whole purpose of the lease.”
Executive director of resources Andrew Cummings said the details of the lease were still being worked up.
Cllr Nic Labuschagne (Conservative, Winterbourne) asked: “Potentially do we see a cost coming in or will it remain free to enter?”
Cllr Monk replied: “I can’t commit that it will remain free but only because I don’t know.
“But we as the administration are pleased that we have identified a partner who is committed to keeping it open and keeping it running.
“I assume it will remain free but I haven’t directly asked that question.”
Scrutiny commission chair Cllr Erica Williams (Conservative, Bitton & Oldland Common) said a detailed report on the future of Grimsbury Farm would be presented at the commission’s next meeting in February.
The draft budget, which is set to be approved by the Lib Dem/Labour cabinet on Monday, February 2, ahead of the final vote at full council on Wednesday, February 11, includes a cut of £170,000 a year for Grimsbury Farm.