To receive statements, if any, from the public.
Minutes:
Tom Cliffe, Supporters’ Representative of Northampton Town Football Club, addressed Council in respect of Item 5 and noted that 97% of respondents to a recent poll were in favour of the development of the East Stand. The proposal would give the Northampton Town Community Trust additional facilities to carry out its award-winning community work, and high-quality disabled facilities would also be provided.
James Whiting, Chief Executive of Northampton Town Football Club, addressed Council in respect of Item 5 and thanked the Council for carrying out a thorough and detailed process. He said that the Club always welcomed detailed scrutiny. The benefits of the completion of the East Stand were wide-ranging for both supporters and the wider community. An open house event was held in the summer to share plans with supporters as well as details of the wider development. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, further confirmed by a poll which showed 97% of respondents in favour of the plans. The area behind the club was earmarked for future development with the Club owning the freehold. There would be room in the future to build a stand comparable to those seen at premier league stadiums. Mr Whiting acknowledged that there would always be opposition but asked Council to look at the facts; a deliverable development, club-owned land behind the stand, development on the land in line with the Council’s planning policies and the aims of the Enterprise Zone, additional jobs created and significant rates for the Council.
Hayden Spenceley addressed Council in respect of Item 5 and stated that at a minimum, adequate facilities for disabled supporters should be provided; the deal before Council was a great option and Mr Spenceley believed that it was the only option worth taking.
Andy Roberts, Chairman of Northampton Town Supporters Trust, addressed Council in respect of Item 5. He stated that the Trust’s position was that it was happy there seemed to be an impetus between the Club’s owners and the Council to secure a deal which would see the East Stand completed. Mr Roberts implored the Council to support a deal which would see the East Stand completed, and also protect the historic community land behind the stand, which was registered as an asset of community value. Under the present deal, the land would be sold, with half earmarked for industrial development. This land should be retained, or at least protected in favour of development for future ongoing investment for the Club. The Trust had asked the Club and the Council to attach conditions to the development of all of the old athletics track land covered by the ACV and would like to see a partnership infrastructure foundation between the Council, Club and supporters to discuss potential use of the land.
Keith Buckby, Director of NTFC Supporters Trust, addressed Council in respect of Item 5 and stated that whilst he supported the development of the East Stand, he could not put blind faith in businesspeople with no previous connection to, or affiliation with the Club. He urged Council to exclude the Club’s original footprint from the deal whilst waiting to see if the owners and directors delivered on their promises.
Derek Krajewski addressed Council in respect of Item 5 and stated that a lack of infrastructure was one of the main reasons for the Club’s underperforming. He stated that the Council was at risk of missing an opportunity for investment and growth in the town and the Club by selling off land for warehouses. He urged the Council to remove the ACV land from any land deal.