19/11/04 - Cllr Tomlinson Delighted At Swindon FC Vote
Paul Davis (Trust STFC) presents the petition
to Mayor Peter Stoddart and Councillor Justin Tomlinson
At Full Council last night, Swindon Council backed the motion to explore the opportunities to help Swindon Town FC redevelop the County Ground.
The original motion was proposed by Councillor Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary candidate and prior to the Full Council meeting, a joint motion was agreed with all three political parties, which allowed the motion to go through with the full backing of the Council.
The key aspects of the motion are:
- The Council has acknowledged that in principle the County Ground is the best option for a redeveloped football stadium. This was made clear by the Trust STFC petition that was presented to The Mayor, and myself last night, containing 4000+ signatures.
- We must learn the lessons of Shaw. The football club spent four years working towards a Shaw proposal. In hindsight, fours ago local representitives and residents should have been consulted, the opposition would have been clear and the club would not have wasted four years time and money. With the financial pressures on the club, this new effort to push for redevelop must work. By getting everyone around the table we can give the club a constructive steer, helping them to identify a practicle way forward, effectively focusing their time, effort and money.
In my mind this is basic common sense, and an extremely constructive way the Council can help the football club.
- The motion has also given the issue a real focus, there is now a clear mandate for progress. It is in the fans', the club's and town's interest that we can all work together towards a redevelopment.
Councillor Justin Tomlinson, "I am delighted that not only could the three groups come together on this crucial issue, but that there is a clear mandate, and a clear will for everyone to get together and help STFC progress.
I would like to pay tribute to the Trust STFC who been tireless in promoting the interests and concerns of the local fans, helping push this issue up the agenda.
With the backing of this motion I am now in a position to bring together all the parties to immediately start working on potential options. With the involvement of local representitive and community groups we can help give the club a steer on plans that could be supported.
I passionately believe that helping the club to redevelop will not only help the club and the fans but will play a key role in the overall redevelopment of the central area of Swindon, hence my desire for the New Swindon Company to be involved.
This is an excellent day for Swindon Town FC and their fans, together we must now carry this forward."
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