Cardiff Councillors met on the 28th February 2013 to decide upon, amongst other things, how to approach the transition of the day to day running of Flat Holm Island to a new custodian organisation. The island had been proposed for “disposal”, but will now be kept in council ownership in 2013-14, with opportunities for “alternative options” explored during the year.
The announcement, made in Council Chamber by the Councilor for Finance, Business and Local Economy, Russell Goodway, stated the following:
“A provision will be made to allow the Island to remain open to visitors during the coming summer. In the meanwhile the Council will explore the creation of a partnership with another organisation which will take on the operation of the Island. After the summer, and until the new arrangement is in place, it will not be possible to accommodate visitors to the island, but the facilities will continue to be maintained.”
The Flat Holm society has been working hard behind the scenes talking to the council and other organisations about the future of Flat Holm Island. We have submitted an expression of interest to the Council indicating that we want to start the process of forming a trust to run the Flat Holm. We are also in discussions with a number of organisations who have expressed an interest in getting involved.
Support from the public has been amazing with 3,500 plus on the online petition.
Please watch this space for more information on our campagin progress and if you can make it please come to our AGM on the 6th March in the Norwegian Church.