Having just been burned by the collapse of the `urban farm' Biospheric Foundation to the tune of almost £350,000 (see here), Salford Council is to embark on a £19million `contribution' to the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Bridgewater on the site of the old Worsley New Hall.
A report to councillors for the full meeting of Salford Council next week states that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will be investing £25million over the next decade into the garden and that to have "a substantial input into the design and delivery of the fifth garden in a way that complements the Council's strategic priorities" it is "required" to plough £19million into the project.
£9million will go straight to landowner Peel Holdings to "secure a headlease of the land", phased over three years, with the Peel Group's chairman, John Whittaker, strangely stating that the garden's creation "reinforces our investment in the Northern Powerhouse"...
...£5million, to be paid over five years or `in-kind', will "support the on-site delivery of the fifth garden itself"; while another £5million, phased over three years, will be "capital investment towards delivery of the highway infrastructure".
The report on the Garden states that it is the Council's intention to "actively pursue numerous sources of local, regional and national funding to contribute to the project to minimise the impact on Salford City Council". However, a paragraph on the financial implications of the scheme adds that "unsupported borrowing will be required for any shortfall...Should any of the cost be deemed revenue expenditure, a consequential pressure on the City Council's revenue budget could result."
Salford City Mayor, Ian Stewart, is currently leading the Council's annual Talk Budget consultation in which residents are asked for ideas to save £38million over the next two years, including cuts of £21million from April 2016...The consultation, or `conversation with citizens', focuses on "how can we meet the continuing challenges ahead – with less money to fund services" (see here).
The Council report argues that the Salford Garden, or the RHS Fifth Garden, "will
generate up to 600 jobs, provide volunteering, science, education, skills and training
opportunities and generate up to £24million additional Gross Value Added over 15
years"...
..."The project will bring life to the heart of the Northern Powerhouse, forming the centre of a horticultural network that includes RHS Garden Bridgewater, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and RHS Flower Show Chatsworth" it adds "As well as securing outstanding reputational benefits for the City..."
Meanwhile, Mayor Ian Stewart adds: "As City Mayor I am pleased to embrace another key moment for the city which will secure enormous economic and environmental benefits..."
The £19million contribution to Garden Bridgewater is due to be rubber stamped by councillors at the full meeting of Salford City Council on 16th December.
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