Future funding of Thatcham nature centre up in the air

West Berkshire Council set to review countryside assets, including the Nature Discovery Centre, to "add value”

THE future funding and management of the Nature Discovery Centre is up in the air after it emerged that West Berkshire Council is undertaking a review of its countryside service and assets in a bid “to add value”.

The council review came to light after a letter was sent to Thatcham Town Council from the district council's countryside manager Paul Hendry.

In response to Thatcham Town Council's offer to increase funding towards the centre from £2,000 to £10,000, Mr Hendry said: “As discussed at our last meeting, we have been exploring options for the future management of the countryside service and the council's countryside assets in order to add value, perhaps through a long-term partnership arrangement.

“Much more work is required and I will keep you informed of progress in due course.”

Mr Hendry concluded by saying that it would not be appropriate for the two councils to enter into a new agreement given the review.

The initial issue occurred after the town council was criticised in 2010 for not increasing the amount it paid into the centre since 1987.

The town council subsequently submitted a service level agreement to the district council agreeing to increase its funding subject to certain conditions.

Town mayor Lee Dillon said that he was annoyed by the letter because it was West Berkshire Council which opened dialogue but then closed it without saying why.

He added: “There has been no communication, neither officer to officer or councillor to councillor.”

The town council has budgeted to give its usual £2,000 to the centre next year.

However, town councillor Owen Jeffery (Lib Dem, Thatcham Town and Crookham) said that there was a possibility that the council would pull its funding after that.

He said: “This council has been disappointed at the reaction of West Berkshire Council.

“The council could be in a position where we withdraw if West Berkshire cannot have a sensible conversation about it.”

West Berkshire Council said that it could not release any further details about the department review, but according to its website, countryside services look after green spaces from all the way from Newbury, to Tadley, to Tilehurst, including Greenham and Crookham commons, Snelsmore Common, Northcroft and Goldwell parks and Paices Wood Country Park.

Spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “The council is exploring options for the future management of the countryside service and the council's countryside assets.

“While these discussions are ongoing, the council felt that Thatcham Town Council's expectations did not align with those of the council, and so in order to avoid disappointment, it was decided that it was better to decline the offer and allow the funds to be allocated elsewhere.”

The Newbury Weekly News contacted West Berkshire Council portfolio member for the environment, ‘cleaner greener', public protection and culture and leisure, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) but she said that she had nothing further to add.