Flat Holm

The detail of the proposal by Cardiff Council to dispose of Flat Holm, saving £150k pa in expenditure, is as follows:

Cease Operation of Flatholm Island and Consider Options for Disposal - the visitor and income profile for Flatholm demonstrates that demand for the island is highly concentrated in the summer months and is insufficient to cover the operating costs of the facility. It is proposed to cease all visits to the island, and dispose of the island to a third party with no further Council involvement. Visits to the island could be ceased promptly whilst options for disposal are explored. The budget saving reflects retention of a small contingency for service visits during closure. The proposal also includes the disposal of the Lewis Alexander, the vessel currently used to service the island which has increasing costs associated with keeping it serviceable and licensed due to age. If minded to retain some operation of the Island whilst disposal is explored and effected, revision of operations so that visits and overnight stays are only facilitated in the summer could be implemented saving the lower amount of £100k, with visitor access provided by partner commercial boat operators, with emergency/ service visits by Council staff facilitated through the Harbour Authority's "survey vessel".

One can't help but reflect that from our point of view almost any alternative would be better than the current regime, whereby although the Wardens on the island have been supportive, it has become more or less impossible to get any shore-based person involved in the management of the island to respond to any communication whatsoever.

The Council do not appear to put a figure on what the sale of the island might raise.