'You will have hours of talking and achieve nothing' - New grassroots sports group approved by Dudley councillors despite leader’s warning
Dudley councillors voted for a new grassroots sports group despite warnings from the borough’s leader it would ‘achieve nothing’.
October’s meeting of the full council debated a notice of motion raising concerns about a lack of facilities for borough sports teams and expressing concern about the future of the War Memorial Ground in Stourbridge.
The motion drew a comparison between Stourbridge, where the ground has safety issues, and the plight of Dudley Town FC which lost its home ground 40 years ago and has been nomadic ever since.
The motion also proposed a cross-party working group to look into the issue and encouraging grassroots sport.
The idea was met with scepticism by council leader, Cllr Patrick Harley who said: “There is no comparison with Dudley Town FC and Stourbridge.
“Dudley Council owns the War Memorial Ground, we didn’t own Dudley Town’s ground.
“We have a responsibility to put right what is wrong there and have an established football club and cricket club playing at the War Memorial Ground.”
Cllr Harley suggested taking the issue of grassroots sport to a council scrutiny committee rather than setting up a new group.
When Cllr Peter Drake, who brought the notice of motion declined the suggestion Cllr Harley said: “You will have hours of talking and achieve nothing.”
Stourbridge FC and Stourbridge Cricket Club, who play at the War Memorial Ground in Amblecote face an uncertain future after parts of the site were deemed unsafe due to subsidence.
The football team was facing the prospect of being forced to play elsewhere before a dispensation from their league allowed them to remain at their home ground for the current season.
Cllr Phil Atkins, Dudley Cabinet member for development and regulation, told councillors negotiations were under way to secure the ground for both clubs but he could not give details for ‘sound commercial reasons’.
He added: “Creating a new group while sensitive negotiations are live would simply duplicate existing work, cut across existing discussion and slow down progress.
“My message to residents and supporters is ‘the council is on it’, the work is scoped, the costs are apportioned and funding routes are being lined up.
“Lease terms are being worked through with the clubs, we won’t blow up sensitive negotiations for the sake of a soundbite – we will finish the job.”
Despite warnings, 58 councillors voted to support the motion and it was carried.
