Dudley Zoo bosses: Council cuts will not affect us
Bosses at Dudley Zoo say they do not expect a cut in funding it gets from the council to have a major impact on the site.
Dudley Council revealed last week that the amount it gives to the zoo would fall by £200,000 over the next three years under new budget proposals.
The cash-strapped authority needs to save £20 million by 2019 and is set to close Dudley Museum and Art Gallery and reduce hours at libraries and its archives building to try and achieve this.
Council leaders have been keen to point out the cash it gives to the zoo is used solely to maintain Dudley Castle and the tecton buildings and not the running of the attraction itself.
Finance boss Councillor David Sparks said: "If the zoo closed Dudley Council would still have to maintain the hill and castle.
"My view is that we should have a discussion to rename this. It's not a subsidy to Dudley Zoo, it's a maintenance grant."
Dr Sarah Lewis, heritage at risk principal for Historic England in the West Midlands, said: "The zoo fully appreciates the assistance the council has always provided but the council has to make savings across all areas of funding and this includes the maintenance of buildings within the zoo.
"With rising attendances over the past few years, the zoo is in a far better position to continue to redevelop the site in spite of this reduction in income."
