Culzean Castle’s dripping roast cut
Crisis as £ 150,000 a year public funds axed
Culzean Castle will no longer get a yearly cash injection from the council - plunging its country park status into jeopardy.
The National Trust for Scotland beauty spot has received £ 148,000 or more annually from South Ayrshire Council for years. But in a blow to the NTS, all funding was cut this week - potentially leading to the collapse of an historic partnership. The Royal Burgh of Ayr along the Burgh of Kilmarnock established Culzean Country Park in 1969. The current council and NTS signed an agreement more than 20 years ago setting out the funding terms. The South Ayrshire Council Leadership Panel agreed to withdraw financial support to the NTS last week. A paper presented to the Leadership Panel said: “In terms of accountability, the broad range of activities” within the agreement are “no longer fit for purpose.” It warned that “any adjustments to the council’s financial contribution may lead to a change in country park status.” The next steps involve crunch talks between the council and NTS to renegotiate the minute of agreement between them. If they don’t agree the count ry park status c o u l d b e d i t c h e d . A council spokesman said: “The ending of the current agreement means discussions will now take place to progress a new relationship with NTS. A short term working g ro u p c o m p r i s i n g members on Culzean Joint Committee, Ward Members and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture and supported by officers will be established to implement t h i s.” Before the funding withdrawa l o f f i c i a l s were asked to consider whether the cash ploughed into the country park offered value for money. An NTS spokeswoman said the organisation c o u l d n ’ t c o m m e n t until it finds out more. Since 2015 the NTS has spent £ 3 million at Culzean on two new play parks, signage, trails, restoration of the walled garden kitchen garden and other improvements. The NTS relies on annual membership fees to maintains its buildings and parks around the nation. A family membership costs £ 120 annually.