AN ENVIRONMENTAL centre near Stourport is looking to reduce costs before a subsidy is cut.

After April next year, the Bishops Wood Centre will no longer receive funding from Worcestershire County Council.

The facility currently offers educational visits for thousands of children and adults each year and attracts visitors from across the continent.

Councillors looked at the centre’s finances last week, along with three other facilities which make up the county’s Outdoor and Environmental Learning Service (OELS).

Liberal Democrat councillor, Tom Wells, chairman of the council's overview and scrutiny performance board, said the centre had “come a long way in the first year in reducing costs and increasing income”.

He added: “However, there is still considerable work to be done to further build upon the good work and progress that has been made to date.”

In 2007, the centre received a £205,000 annual subsidy from the council. This has been reduced each year since and now stands at £65,000.

A report by the scrutiny board says that although the number of pupils visiting the centre has declined, income “remains steady” through hiring of rooms for meetings and conferences.

Council cabinet members decided in 2007 that Bishops Wood - along with centres in Malvern Hills, Upton Warren and Llanrug - would be given three years to become self-funding.

“There now needs to be a balance struck between identifying new ways of generating income at all four centres while maintaining the existing services that Worcestershire people are familiar with,” Mr Wells added.

“There will be a second review meeting later this year, where further feedback and analysis will be provided in what will be a difficult phase for the service.”