Control of city's parks 'set to be taken back'

Newcastle's parks have been run by charity Urban Green Newcastle (UGN) since 2019

A council is poised to retake control of its parks amid financial problems.

Newcastle City Council is expected to pull its funding of charity Urban Green Newcastle (UGN), which has run 33 parks and more than 60 allotments since 2019.

A cabinet report has revealed there was "no evidence" the charity would be able to operate without "substantial financial support" from the council.

Jim Beirne MBE, UGN chair of trustees, said the organisation was "disappointed" but would work closely with the authority to "ensure a smooth transition" if the decision was confirmed.

It was hoped that a charitable trust would be able to access more funding and protect the future of the parks amid council budget cuts.

But it was revealed in March, the charity required an extra £1m of help from the council to balance the books this year.

The council’s leadership is being recommended to cease funding to UGN with plans to bring its assets back under its control by 31 January.

'Proud of achievements'

Higher costs and lower than expected income are being blamed for the charity's struggles.

Alex Hay, council deputy leader, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the review produced a “strong rationale” for taking the parks back in-house.

“We know how deeply our residents care about our city’s parks, allotments and green spaces," he said.

“Urban Green Newcastle has achieved some fantastic results over the last five years but there have been many challenges, not least the pandemic."

He added that to continue with "external management" of green spaces would be too large a cost to the taxpayer.

He also said that if the move was approved, the council would work with the charity to "support staff affected" and ensure a smooth transition.

Mr Beirne said he believed that UGN "continues to be the right approach for the long-term future of Newcastle's green spaces".

“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 said.

"We are proud of everything we have achieved, and hope the council continues this good work."