Agenda item

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which sought approval for the proposals to re-locate Runcorn Linnets Football Club back into Halton.

            Members were advised that there had been senior non-league football team in Runcorn since 1918, and Runcorn FC, over the years achieved considerable success. In recent years, the club experienced difficulties, resulting in the sale of their ground in 2001. The club played at Stobart Stadium in Halton and Prescott Cables ground in 2006, when it went into liquidation.

            From this situation, fans formed a Supporters Trust to launch a new club, Runcorn Linnets FC, to continue the history of Runcorn non-league football. This was a not for profit organisation akin to AFC United and Wimbledon AFC, run entirely by its members. The FA were happy to endorse the proposals and establish the team in the North West Counties League. In its first season the club achieved promotion to the North West Counties Premier League.

            Members were advised the new Club’s aspiration was to return to its roots in Runcorn. Previously, HBC had instigated a study by Liverpool University into football provision in the Borough. The study found that it was essential to have a senior team in the Borough to which local people could aspire to play for, providing community links with local youth teams, developing the female game and disability sport, and policies that responded to the local agenda of healthy lifestyles. Runcorn Linnets, in their development plans, offered these opportunities.

            It was noted that options appraisals were carried out to identify a site that the Linnets could relocate to. Detailed proposals had been worked up for a site at Riverside College. The Club attempted to raise external funding to support this proposal but the economic downturn mitigated against this. HBC staff had worked closely with the club in their aspirations, and when the Riverside Site was proved to be clearly unaffordable, other options were considered. Ultimately, the development of a facility at the Council-owned Halton sports site was appraised to be the best and most effective option.

            Members were further advised that the requirements to play at their immediate and aspirational levels could be met by developing a facility at Halton Sports. This involved changing facilities, seating and standing for spectators, officials’ accommodation, dugouts, floodlights etc. All this could be achieved at no detriment to existing or future users of the site. Indeed, it offered the exciting potential of developing a community centre of sporting excellence.

            It was noted that the Runcorn Linnets had played out of Witton Albion FC’s ground for the last two years. If the club was to survive and have a long-term sustainability it did need to return its fan base in Halton. Equally, if Halton wanted to promote sport as a lifestyle option, it did need a senior club that was rooted in its community and involved in its community. The FA fully supported the aspirations and the approach of the club.

            Members were further advised that the total cost of the scheme would be £200,000. Efforts made by the Club to fund-raise and attract external funding from the Football Association had closed the current funding gap to £100, 000. It was hoped that this sum could be reduced by sponsorship and grant funding from Sport England. This report, however, requested the grant funding to a maximum of £100,000 from HBC to enable the scheme to progress to meet the timescales of the FA to relocate the Club back into Halton. The grant funding could be found within existing resources from managed underspends across the Culture and Leisure budgets.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       Halton Borough Council give a grant contribution to a maximum of £100k towards the cost of re-locating Runcorn Linnets Football Club back into the Borough, at the Halton Sport site; and

(2)       delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director, Corporate and Policy in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Corporate Services and for Environment, Leisure and Sport to determine leasing arrangements and operational issues in respect of the Halton Sports site.