Stadium decision behind closed doors tonight (From Bucks Free Press)

Stadium decision behind closed doors tonight

9:36am Monday 2nd November 2009

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COUNCIL bosses are to press ahead with the search for a new home for Adams Park stadium – and have pledged a full public consultation.

A study found moving the Sands stadium is “viable” and there is a “reasonable chance” of it happening by 2014 as desired by Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps.

Yet Wycombe District Council chiefs have been slammed for moving to discuss the issue behind closed doors.

A total £500,000 of council cash has been set aside for “feasibility” studies into the move.

It previously said council-owned Wycombe Air Park in Clay Lane, Booker is an option – but would not say what the study had found as it is “commercially sensitive”.

Ruling Conservative cabinet members will be asked in private to “start the process required to formally identify a proposed relocation site and seek to get a scheme consented” a statement to the Bucks Free Press said.

The WDC statement added: “This would enable full public consultation to begin.

“It also seeks authority to negotiate heads of terms with the two clubs.

“Before committing to the expenditure involved, terms would have to be agreed with the clubs, to tie them into the process and ultimately their occupation of the new stadium.” It went on:

“The council have so far focused upon assessing the financial viability of the proposals and have used the services of a third party specialist in leisure and stadium financing.

“Their report concludes that the proposals are potentially viable and that there is a reasonable chance of meeting the clubs’ ambitions for a new stadium in 2013/14.

“However it also acknowledges that there are significant challenges ahead and these include getting everyone - the council, the local community, the clubs - supporting a major initiative which could be an exceptional addition and asset to the district.”

Yet the move to have cabinet members discuss the report in secret was today slammed as “disgraceful” by an opposition councillor.

Liberal Democrat Julia Wassell said: “The public has a right to know how it’s own cash is being spent.

“One wonders why senior officers aren’t doing this sort of work.”

Financial information on the council’s website shows £50,000 was set aside last year and £250,000 this year to spend on the project. A further £200,000 is available next year.

The council said it could not confirm how much had been spent as the relevant officers were not available.

A statement said of Monday’s meeting: “The item is exempt as it contains a significant amount of commercially sensitive information.”

The council has said supporting the stadium to stay was vital as it ran sports programmes, generated employment and brought in visitors.

The cabinet meets at 7pm at its offices in Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe.

Steve Hayes, owner of Wanderers and Wasps, said he was “absolutely delighted” by the move. He said he was committed to a public consultation on the plans and backed the council making the decision behind closed doors.

He said: “This is for the council to decide whether it wants to move forward, it is not for the public."

He added: “This isn’t about me earning lots of money, this is a legacy for the town and making sure Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers progress.”

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