Post by admin on Sept 23, 2006 14:49:38 GMT 1
Future is bright for Valley’s vital greenhouses
EVERYTHING will be coming up roses in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, now the greenhouses have been saved.
Councillors at the Cabinet meeting at Bacup Leisure Hall unanimously welcomed the news that a not-for-profit social enterprise Close to the Hedge is taking over the running of the former municipal greenhouses in the park.
It was agreed to set a peppercorn rent and to buy plants for the Valley from the new facility.
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In budget cuts for 2006 Rossendale Council proposed closing the greenhouses and buying in plants to save money.
Cabinet member for finance and risk management Councillor Michael Ormerod said the council had always said it would look to find a way of keeping the facility open.
He said: ‘This is a tremendous outcome and a lot of work has been done by head of financial services Phil Seddon and Bacup Consortium Trust.’
Cabinet member for street scene and liveability Councillor Judith Driver said: ‘I welcome this. It was something I was very concerned about us losing because it is a valuable community asset and it is really good to see we are not going to lose it.’
Maintenance of the greenhouses will also be taken on by the Close to the Hedge partnership which is made up of Accrington and Rossendale College, Bacup Consortium Trust and Groundwork Rossendale.
The teaching element of the work will generate a subsidy for the horticultural operation.
Council leader Duncan Rudthingy said: ‘We have fulfilled our budgetary commitment and helped people using the greenhouses through to a solution. It is a win-win situation. We are still having plants grown locally in the greenhouses, paying slightly more for them, but congratulations to officers Phil Seddon and George Graham (head of resources) and everyone involved.’
Catherine Smyth
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
Published: 22nd September 2006
EVERYTHING will be coming up roses in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, now the greenhouses have been saved.
Councillors at the Cabinet meeting at Bacup Leisure Hall unanimously welcomed the news that a not-for-profit social enterprise Close to the Hedge is taking over the running of the former municipal greenhouses in the park.
It was agreed to set a peppercorn rent and to buy plants for the Valley from the new facility.
Advertisement
In budget cuts for 2006 Rossendale Council proposed closing the greenhouses and buying in plants to save money.
Cabinet member for finance and risk management Councillor Michael Ormerod said the council had always said it would look to find a way of keeping the facility open.
He said: ‘This is a tremendous outcome and a lot of work has been done by head of financial services Phil Seddon and Bacup Consortium Trust.’
Cabinet member for street scene and liveability Councillor Judith Driver said: ‘I welcome this. It was something I was very concerned about us losing because it is a valuable community asset and it is really good to see we are not going to lose it.’
Maintenance of the greenhouses will also be taken on by the Close to the Hedge partnership which is made up of Accrington and Rossendale College, Bacup Consortium Trust and Groundwork Rossendale.
The teaching element of the work will generate a subsidy for the horticultural operation.
Council leader Duncan Rudthingy said: ‘We have fulfilled our budgetary commitment and helped people using the greenhouses through to a solution. It is a win-win situation. We are still having plants grown locally in the greenhouses, paying slightly more for them, but congratulations to officers Phil Seddon and George Graham (head of resources) and everyone involved.’
Catherine Smyth
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
Published: 22nd September 2006
