PENARTH Town Council has given its backing to the MV Balmoral Fund and vowed to donate £1000 towards the appeal to get the coastal cruising steamer sailing again.

Councillors praised the impact the popular ship had on the town, and said that they would write to the Vale Council and Welsh Government to appeal for their support to the cause too.

The MV Balmoral Fund Ltd is hoping to raise £200,000 to get the Bristol-based motor vessel sailing again during 2015. The campaign has raised more than £150,000 in donations and pledges, and is hoping to secure Heritage Lottery Funding, as well as support from neighbouring councils, to reach its target.

Labour Councillor Gwyn Roberts, who had previously questioned the benefits to the town of providing financial assistance to the steamer and whether it would provide “good value for money”, said that after meeting with representatives of the appeal he realised “that circumstances were very different” than they had been previously.

“We have had a presentation from four people from the Balmoral Fund and it was very illuminating about what they want to do,” he said.

“They seem to have a sound business plan and once the Balmoral is up and sailing again it has really good prospects. It has become a viable project to keep this ship going.”

He added that as it was currently based in Bristol, and as it would be sailing the Bristol Channel, it saw Penarth as a ‘key port’ for it.

“A pier is not a pier unless it has ships stopping at it,” he said.

“It would bring business to this town and the whole of Wales as it would be visiting a number of piers in Wales as it goes both ways.”

He added that the Balmoral was “a much more viable option” than the Waverley as, although it was not quite as “evocative”, it had a lower cost, smaller crew and greater manoeuvrability.

He said that the town council should support the bid for financial assistance and proposed a total of £1,000, with half each coming from the financial assistance and leisure and amenities budgets.

He added that the council should also explore other funding sources, such as the Welsh Government and Vale Council, to support the cause.

“I think it’s a really worthwhile option to have such a historic ship here,” said the St Augustine’s ward councillor.

Councillor Anthony Ernest, who represents the Plymouth ward, expressed concerns about taking half out of the tourism budget in case “a couple of things not identified” cropped up and said he would prefer to see the money withdrawn from the general budget “because the council is very frugal there’s plenty in there”.

He was told by Councillor Neil Thomas, who represents the Cornerswell ward, that the council could transfer money from the general reserves to the other budgets if needed.

Conservative Councillor Martin Turner, who represents the Plymouth ward, said that the town council should encourage the Balmoral to sail around Penarth during the summer festival.

“It would be good for days out when they are looking to take people out from Penarth to the Bristol Channel,” he said.

Conservative Councillor Clive Williams, who also represents the Plymouth ward, added it was an extra attraction and another reason why people would come to the town.

The policy and finance committee last night (October 30) agreed to provide financial assistance of £1,000 and write to the Vale Council and Welsh Government on behalf of the MV Balmoral Fund Ltd and appeal for their support.