Funding reduced for Peterborough adventure playground and farm

New Ark Adventure Playground in Hill Close will see its grant funding from Peterborough City Council reduce from £33,000 in the current financial year to £22,000 in 2019/20 then £11,000 in 2020/21.

It follows the council having its funding from central government heavily slashed.

New Ark provides pre-school, after school and holiday provision for children, as well as a farm, eco centre and play support service which offers an alternative curriculum for children who may have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Its previous grant agreement with the council saw it receive £33,000 a year for the past three years.

Under the new deal it will continue to receive £33,000 this year before that figure begins to decrease from 2019/20 onwards.

New Ark is currently rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The council said it was cutting the funding gradually to “provide some time for the charity to manage a reduction in funds and to allow them to review their business model with a view to becoming self-sufficient.”

The Peterborough Telegraph approached New Ark but nobody was available to comment.