Conditional Funding Package for Botanic Gardens

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board has agreed to continue supporting the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, on condition that it improves its use of the Welsh language and looks at ways to become more sustainable.

Meeting this week, the Executive Board agreed a package of financial measures to support the gardens, including a three-year extension of its interest free loan.

It also agreed, in principle, to contribute £50,000 towards a Regency Landscape project – part of a match-funding package put forward by the gardens to secure a £6.7million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, although the council’s contribution will only be used if the lottery bid is successful.

Going forward, the Executive Board said it would scale down the level of financial support it provides annually, and wants to meet with Welsh Government officials to discuss the level of support it provides.

On that basis, members agreed to provide a cash grant of £70,000 this year, reducing to £50,000 for 2016/17 and £30,000 for 2017/18.

In agreeing the package, Executive Board members suggested that the gardens work with the local Mentrau Iaith to ensure it becomes fully bilingual, and looks at further commercial ventures to draw in more visitors year-round, suggesting the possibility of a discount scheme for local people as well as other ways to attract families and children.

They are also requesting that Deputy Leader Cllr David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources, has a place on its Board of Trustees.

Council Leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “It needs to change; it needs direction; it needs marketing.”

Cllr Mair Stephens, the council’s Welsh Language Champion, added: “This is an opportunity to underline that we are a bilingual county.”