23 March 2007

Botanic Working Group meets

The recently formed Botanic Garden Working Group met for the first time yesterday (Thursday March 22nd) to consider options to secure a sustainable future for the Botanic Garden in Dundee.

The group was formed following a decision by the University of Dundee’s governing body, the University Court, to endorse the recommendations of the recent Sustainability Review including savings in the running of the Botanic Garden.

At a constructive first meeting members agreed to identify and explore a full range of options with the potential for sharing costs, cutting costs and increasing income from the garden. The group expects to complete its work by September 2007 and will submit a report to the University Court.

The group is chaired by Professor Peter Gregory, Director of the Scottish Crop Research Institute. He said: "I am pleased to chair a group that is committed to finding a way forward for the Botanic Garden that will allow it to thrive and provide an amenity that the people of Dundee can enjoy. The group has much work to do over the next few months, but we are determined that by September we shall be able to complete our report."

The following members attended: Lord Provost John Letford; Dundee City Council Chief Executive Alex Stephen; Chair of the Friends of the Botanic Garden Andrew Morrison; secretary to the Friends of the Botanic Garden Sylvia Patullo; local proprietor Douglas Thomson; University Secretary David Duncan; Director of Campus Services David Yule; Curator of University Grounds and Gardens Alasdair Hood and Principal’s Office Communications Director Carol Pope who will act as secretary to the Botanic Garden Working Group.

The group agreed to place on the university website updates of the working group’s progress and to channel all media enquiries through the Chairman.

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk