The Friends of High Borrans charity has expressed its “disappointment” after calls to pause and review the closure of the outdoor centre were rejected.
Council votes down cross-party inquiry
After a fiery debate last week, North Tyneside Council’s Labour administration voted down a Conservative group motion to hold a cross-party inquiry into the decision to close the Cumbria-based facility, alongside calls to pause and reverse the decision and seek wider community engagement.
Labour defended its position, with the cabinet member responsible for education, inclusion, employment, and skills, Coun Tracy Hallway, stating that alternative business models were examined but found wanting.
Coun Hallway also defended the council’s decision-making process, stating that the initial papers were exempt from public view because they contained financial information relating to council employees. The senior Labour figure also said the matter had been dealt with in accordance with the council’s procedures and employment, and the decision had already been subject to a ‘call-in’ period. A ‘call-in’ means councillors could demand that something is reviewed ahead of a final decision.
Charity's statement
A statement from the Friends of High Borrans said: “The council’s decision was disappointing. Coun John Johnson [Tory Group leader] made a valid argument for transparency regarding the council’s decision.
“The Friends are most disappointed by the lack of consultation with the public, excluding young voices and schools that do use the centre and the tremendous impact it has on our youth. We fully understand councils across the country are struggling financially, and a centre like High Borrans can be financially viable.”
Financial options considered
According to the council’s report on High Borrans, options included increasing the centre’s use through accommodation, or possible conversion into an Airbnb or equivalent, or wholesale conversion into a hotel; however, these would require significant development and investment. The council’s findings also found that potentially widening the centre for public use would likely result in a change of use to the facility, meaning a safeguarding conflict for children.
The statement continued: “We are further disappointed that there was no mention of including the charity Friends of High Borrans in the discussions. This could have been a vital part of keeping the centre running. The Friends charity is there to work with the centre and the council to help fundraise, apply for grants, and our members give up personal time to help maintain the building and grounds through working party weekends.”
Council's financial position
The local authority has maintained that the facility requires about £3m to keep running, despite £900,000 being spent there in recent years. It says it has also subsidised the venture by about £165 per child, including the £62,000 per year allocated for out-of-borough pupils.
Recent attendance figures indicated the centre had been used by 1,255 pupils from Years 5 to 8, out of a potential cohort of 9,300.
The Friends of High Borrans added: “From the meeting, there are a lot of questions still to be answered. The campaign continues with support from multiple agencies, with an ongoing petition created by former young leaders and MPs such as Tim Farron. Tim has presented an early day motion due to changing politics and Caroline Voaden’s motion to make sure every student across the country has outdoor residential experiences.
“Taking High Borrans away from North Tyneside limits the county on what they can offer in relation to outdoor adventure education, which further limits opportunities for our young people to explore outside their doorstep. We thank all who have supported this campaign and continue to do so at this time.”
