Council ‘should have done more’ to save Torbay’s green guardians

Torbay Council’s Conservative administration has been accused of not doing enough to save the trust that safeguards some of the bay’s most treasured green spaces.

There is also concern over the future of the land and buildings which form part of the trust’s assets.
It was announced today that the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust had been put into liquidation by its trustees.
The trust runs Occombe Farm and manages Cockington Country Park, Berry Head and many of the bay’s other well-known natural attractions. It conserves 1,700 acres of green space in the Bay altogether.
Proceeds from visitors to the farm help to support the local conservation work and care for nearly 80 per cent of green spaces in Torbay.
But concerns about the long term future of the trust surfaced earlier this year when the farm shop closed. At the time the trust blamed tough economic conditions and rising costs.
It is understood the charity has given staff at the farm a week’s notice. The trust itself has yet to comment and confirm its future, but the council has released a statement expressing its sadness.
Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said the closure would have a ‘significant and deeply-felt impact’, but opposition leader Cllr Swithin Long (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) said the council could and should have done more.
“It is very sad news,” he said. “The trust’s staff have worked incredibly hard to look after much of Torbay’s countryside. This time of year is also particularly horrible for employees to be losing their jobs.
“The trust has come to the council for help with its finances a number of times over the years, and it is disappointing that the council’s Conservative administration has not been able to help the trust get onto a sustainable financial footing over the last two and a half years.”
Cllr Long said the trust’s assets, which the council transferred to them, will now be returned to the council.
But, he said: “These public assets should not now be simply sold off to the highest bidder. There should be a public conversation about what happens next.”