Helping Latics can lift borough

Oldham Council Cabinet meeting
HELPING Oldham Athletic relocate to a new stadium will give the borough a massive amount of regeneration.

That’s the view of Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, as he defended Oldham Council getting involved in the football club’s plans.

Saddleworth parish councillor Ken Hulme asked Cabinet how much the authority’s efforts to help relocate the club cost council taxpayers, how much of the council’s budget has been allocated to pay for future efforts to find a new stadium and what budget constraints have been imposed on this.

Councillor McCann replied: “Officers have spent several hours trying to assist Oldham Athletic in their proposals to relocate to an alternative stadium.

“However, the stadium forms a minor part of the overall proposals, which is not just about safeguarding a professional football team within the borough, but also helping to deliver a scheme which generates a massive amount of regeneration — both in providing new facilities and providing local long and short-term jobs. All political parties share this view.

“No set budget has been set aside for this work — although it is a core function of members of staff within the Economy, Place and Skills directorate to work both with businesses, enterprises and employers and also promote regeneration wherever possible.”

He added that costs incurred to date arising from third party advice of legal and surveyors’ fees from the failed Failsworth scheme total £11,551.

The Charity Commission has refused a controversial swap deal to pave the way for a new £20million stadium off Broadway, Failsworth.

It blasted the council for the way it had handled the process, criticising weak consultation and conflicts of interest. The council sent a dossier back outlining “many inaccuracies” in the decision and is awaiting a response.

Talks between the football club and council into finding a new home away from dilapidated Boundary Park are continuing.