Council set to manage green spaces leased to trust
BBCA local authority is set to maintain green spaces previously leased to a conservation charity.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust (TCCT), which looked after 80% of Torbay's landscapes, said it did not receive increased funds from Torbay Council in time to prevent it from financial collapse in October.
Torbay Council said notice of formal liquidation had been received, and it had reached an agreement with appointed liquidators to take back the land and buildings previously leased to the TCCT.
It added it was preparing to assume responsibility for those areas, along with SWISCo who would be responsible for the day-to-day management of the green spaces.
The authority said the move would not be immediate and, until completion, responsibility would stay with the liquidators.
Councillor David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, said: "This is a significant step towards us helping to secure the future of Torbay's treasured natural spaces and ensuring that they remain a source of pride and enjoyment for generations to come.
He added the TCCT had played an "instrumental role in conserving our coast and countryside landscapes over many years."
"As we move forward, our priority is making sure these spaces remain accessible and well maintained for our communities," he said.
Councillor Chris Lewis, deputy leader of Torbay Council, said: "We can assure all the people out there that we will look after that land as well as the trust have done in the past."
He also said he wanted to thank the people involved in the TCCT.
"I would like to think that we will have an improvement in our coastal paths... we don't see doing nothing as an option, we want to do more, we want to make it better for the people of Torbay," he said.
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