A NEW business-focussed role could be created to help a community farm in Cwmbran operate on a more commercial basis.

The position will shape the future operating model for Greenmeadow Community Farm as Torfaen council seeks to find ways for it to be financially sustainable.

Closure of the farm was considered in 2019 as it faced a £200,000 funding cut.

However the council decided to keep the farm open and has since approved an allocation of up to £500,000 for investment.

Torfaen council’s cabinet will meet next week to consider the creation of a business focussed role and to recognise the need for the farm to operate on “a much more commercial basis”.

A report coming before the cabinet says the current budget for Greenmeadow includes £129,094 of unallocated savings and a net cost to the council of £264,840.

But the council has sought support to help it “enhance and improve Greenmeadow Community Farm into a revenue generating facility that will not just cover its costs but raise additional revenue and sustain this year after year”.

The creation of a business focused post will form part of a revised governance structure, which will allow the farm to take decisions from a more commercial basis.

The role will be created before the release of the allocated £500,000 investment, and will be tasked with leading the new approach and evidencing the priority options for investment.

Options for the £500,000 investment will then be drawn up in a further report.

Longer-term the role could carry out similar tasks within other areas of the authority’s operations.

The more commercial approach seeks to recognise that the farm forms part of Torfaen’s wider community assets and “does not exist in a bubble”.

It will look to “maximise the promotion of Torfaen’s communities and the county as a destination more broadly and not just be focused on the farm,” according to the council report.

The report adds: “The farm needs to generate income that not only sustains itself but also provides growth money – breaking even is not sufficient.

“Future development will be an inherent part of the commercial approach meaning the farm and its offer will continue to change over time.”

A job description and salary will be drawn up after Torfaen council’s cabinet meet to approve the creation of the new role at a meeting on Tuesday.

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