Ross McKenzie seeks council funds for Gorgie Farm after a lease was granted. Funding is needed to secure the project’s success.
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The council gave Gorgie Community Farm a 25-year lease. However, they didn’t give the charity any seed money. The charity will manage the farm, and it will remain open to the public.
A study indicated that the farm needs money to succeed, potentially costing £5 million for needed work. The Finance Committee heard that extra funding should be part of the budget decision. Ross McKenzie supports both the charity and the funding.
The charity will run a community farm where farmers will grow things and provide outdoor spaces. They will only keep small animals on site. The farm will also support community groups and volunteers.
McKenzie is happy about the new charity and believes they can get external funding later. Still, they need help from the council to start, and he wants a small donation from this year’s budget. The council owns the land, and council members want to revive the farm, making now the time to provide money.
McKenzie says other budgets also have this money and that all four local councilors support this request. He hopes the Labour party will accept his plan, allowing him to vote for their budget. He also spoke with the Council Leader, who seemed interested.
McKenzie’s plan has two parts: first, use £75,000 from one fund for a Development Manager to pay their salary for one year; second, use £75,000 from a different fund to improve the buildings by spending it on capital improvements.