Future of Bulwell golf club in doubt due to council budget cuts

Around £12.5 million in cuts have been proposed by the city council but a further £51 million in savings will have to be found before April unless further Government support is made available.

The council estimates the economic cost of Covid-19, both from increased demand for services and decreased income from things like car parking, leisure centres and commercial property ownership, will be £87.9 million by April next year.

And to date it has received £23.5 million from the Government.

The reduction of 154 jobs will be made where possible through voluntary redundancies, a job recruitment freeze, and the deletion of vacant posts, rather than compulsory redundancies, the council says.

It also says it is ‘working on further plans to deal with the remaining in-year deficit’.

Included in the consultation was the proposal to close Bulwell Hall Golf Club in November, unless an external operator is found.

Coun Dave Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s widely known now that the cost of the Covid-19 response in Nottingham has been significant and has had a huge impact on the council’s finances.

"This, and the loss of income to the authority, stands at more than £80 million but so far we have received only £23 million of extra funding from the Government.

“Last month we agreed to consult with the public on £12.5m of proposed budget savings and the golf course is part of that consultation.

“However, while we are unable to continue our subsidy for the golf course, we are mindful that it is in excellent condition.

"The council is committed to maintaining the area as a park or green space and there are various potential options on the table, including finding an operator to continue to provide golf.

"We will be investigating all of those – the key thing is to find a successful outcome for the park.”

The course, which was founded in 1910, is currently open following its closure during the coronavirus lockdown.

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