Issue - meetings

The Executive has been asked to consider the following Notice of Motion received from Councillor Barker:

“Council notes that a capacity of 5000 is sufficient for a football team to compete in League Two. Council calls on officers to assess the effect on current proposals for development at Kingfield of stadium capacities at various levels between 6000 and 8000.”

The Executive had supported the motion at its meeting, noting that options for the ground to be smaller would be available to the Council when it was asked to make a decision.  Councillor Barker spoke in support of the motion before the matter was debated.  Councillor Lyons expressed concern over the specific nature of the motion and it was therefore agreed that, in accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the recommendation of the Executive to support the motion were recorded.

In favour:                                Councillors S Ashall, A Azad, A-M Barker, D Bittleston, G Cundy, K Davis, G Elson, W Forster, D Harlow, K Howard, D Hughes, S Hussain, C Kemp, R Leach, N Martin, L Morales, C Rana, J Sanderson and M Whitehand.

Total in favour:                       19

Against:                                  Councillors M Ali, T Aziz and L Lyons

Total against:                         2

Present not voting:                 None.

The recommendation was therefore carried by 19 votes in favour to 2 votes against.

RESOLVED

That the Motion be supported.

Reporting Person – Corporate Management Group

At its meeting on 25 July 2019, the Council referred the following Notice of Motion to the Executive.

Councillor A-M Barker

“Council notes that a capacity of 5000 is sufficient for a football team to compete in League Two.

Council calls on officers to assess the effect on current proposals for development at Kingfield of stadium capacities at various levels between 6000 and 8000.”

Councillor Hughes spoke in support of the Motion on behalf of Councillor Barker.  Councillor Hughes explained that the Motion had been brought to the Executive mindful of concerns raised by local residents, some Members and some football supporters regarding the proposed development.  Members discussed the Officer comment which stated that the drawings for the planning application showed a capacity of 9,026 in order to accommodate a pitch size that could be used for rugby matches.  Officers confirmed that the 10,000 capacity came from Council policy at the time when the Council was supportive of the Football Club and was seeking the then criteria for entering the Football League.  Regarding the reference to rugby, it was explained that the stadium could be used for a range of sporting events and activities consistent with the wider Council policy of supporting recreation.  It was noted that a capacity of 9,026 would enable the grass pitch to be wider, however options for the ground to be smaller would be available to the Council when it was asked to make a decision.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the Motion be supported.