City Council Poised to Reclaim Management of Parks

A local authority is preparing to reassume management of its park system due to financial difficulties. Newcastle City Council anticipates discontinuing its financial support for the charity Urban Green Newcastle (UGN), which has overseen 33 parks and over 60 allotments since 2019. A report presented to the cabinet indicated that “no evidence” existed to suggest the charity could function without “substantial financial support” from the council. Jim Beirne MBE, chair of trustees for UGN, stated that the organization felt “disappointed” but committed to collaborating closely with the authority to “ensure a smooth transition” should the decision be finalized. The initial expectation was that a charitable trust could secure additional funding and safeguard the parks’ future despite reductions in the council’s budget. However, it was disclosed in March that the charity needed an additional £1m in assistance from the council to achieve financial equilibrium this year. The leadership of the council has received a recommendation to terminate funding for UGN, with intentions to reintegrate its assets under council management by 31 January. Increased expenditures and revenues falling below projections are cited as reasons for the charity’s difficulties. Alex Hay, the council’s deputy leader, informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the assessment provided a “strong rationale” for bringing the parks back under internal management. He remarked, “We know how deeply our residents care about our city’s parks, allotments and green spaces.” He continued, “Urban Green Newcastle has achieved some fantastic results over the last five years but there have been many challenges, not least the pandemic.” He further stated that maintaining “external management” of green spaces would incur an excessive cost for taxpayers. He also mentioned that, if the change was sanctioned, the council would collaborate with the charity to “support staff affected” and guarantee a seamless handover. Mr. Beirne expressed his conviction that UGN “continues to be the right approach for the long-term future of Newcastle’s green spaces”. He commented, “Despite the challenges the charity has faced in its first five years, including a global pandemic and cost of living crisis, UGN has performed well.” He concluded, “We are proud of everything we have achieved, and hope the council continues this good work.”