STAFF AT the Centre for Alternative Technology in Mid Wales have taken a pay cut in a bid to survive the recession.

Officials at the centre in Machynlleth said it had experienced an exciting and award-winning year in 2010 but was facing funding problems.

Now staff have agreed to take an almost 10 per cent reduction in wages as a way to help the centre weather the economic crisis.

CAT spokesman Kim Bryan said today that 2010 had been an exciting year with the launch of its Zero Carbon Britain 2030 project and its new flagship eco-educational facility, the Wales Institute for Sustainable Education – Wise – a centre which won a number of best building accolades.

She said: “2011 is also an important year for the planet. At home and abroad the issues of climate change, environmental justice and bio diversity loss are losing momentum.

“While across the world people are suffering the effects of climate change, their homes destroyed and their voices drowned out.

“The work of CAT in inspiring positive solutions for a sustainable future has never been more important.

“Unfortunately, like many organisations at this time, CAT is also facing financial difficulties and shortly before Christmas staff elected to take a 9.9 per cent reduction in wages.

“The management team are now looking into other possible reductions and all the team at CAT are dedicated to working hard towards solutions.”

She added: “Thirty-seven years of finding practical, positive solutions to environmental problems enables us to turn difficult situations around.

“But even we are finding it hard to remain optimistic when faced with threats of cuts to our services and lack of commitment to the environmental agenda across the world.”

Ms Bryan said 2011 looked equally exciting as last year with the Zero Carbon Britain 2030 project continuing to gain visibility and Wise continuing to provoke a “sea change” in architectural practice.

She said: “CAT continues to run inspirational courses, enabling people to learning vital new skills for a sustainable future.”

By Deborah Knox