Senior councillors say they will honour a commitment to provide funding for a 3G football pitch in a North Yorkshire market town amid concerns the money could be lost.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive committed today (TUESDAY) agreed not to follow an officer’s recommendation to remove a commitment to provide £330,000 for a new all-weather pitch in Bedale.
A council report prepared ahead of the meeting proposed that the commitment should be cancelled and a decision taken on the funding when the scheme was nearer to being delivered.
But the recommendation prompted concerns that this would jeopardise further funding for the pitch from the Football Foundation.
The £330,000 money was originally pledged to the scheme by the former Hambleton District Council.
Councillor Mark Crane, executive member for open to business, said he had been contacted by several councillors and members of the public concerned about the recommendation.
He added: “I just want to say that as somebody who has played, refereed, supported and run football teams for the last 50-plus years, the last thing I would want to do is take money away from a 3G pitch, and we are going to certainly honour what Hambleton originally did.
“We had never sought not to honour it. We really sought to put it back a year because we thought it wasn’t going to be spent this year, but even if it’s not, that money is ring-fenced for that football pitch, I promise you that.”
Councillor Simon Myers, executive member for culture, arts and housing, said “loose wording” in the report suggested the money was at risk.
He added: “I’m pleased that it’s been tidied up for the satisfaction of everyone — the pitch will be built.”
The meeting heard that the report would be changed to ensure the funding was ring-fenced for the Bedale pitch.
The plan to build a new 3G pitch has been put together by the 3G4Bedale group.
The comments were welcomed by Ian Cross, head coach at Bedale JFC, which has led the group.
He said: “This is a great result for Bedale and the wider community and maintains the momentum to bring to the town a 3G pitch which will benefit thousands of people of all ages for decades to come.
“The 3G4Bedale group would like to thank the many people who contacted the council and urged a rethink on this matter. Your action made a difference.”
Mr Cross said he was particularly grateful to Bedale councillor, David Webster, who spoke at the meeting in support of the 3G.
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