VB has been informed by a reliable source that the council have, or are intending to, invite expressions of interest to take over the Ventnor Botanic Garden.
Readers may remember the Isle of Wight council had proposed to cease funding the Botanic Garden as part of their Spending Review. However, since the formation of the VBG Advisory Group, the council have agreed to continue funding the Botanic Garden until March 2012.
Request for clarification
Yesterday we asked the council’s press office, “We understand that expressions of interest are being sought to takeover the VBG. Please could you advise where and when this was advertised (if it has been already) and provide the full details and deadlines.”
The response we received from the council’s comms team stated, “The answer to your question then is that your understanding is wrong.”
Delegated Decision Report due out
We were also told that a Delegated Decision Report, of which the Ventnor Botanic Garden was the subject of, was due out shortly.
Many await the report with interest, to see what it contains.
Simon Goodenough, curator for 25 years, left earlier this year following the funding cuts.
