Harrogate Borough Council

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Knaresborough Celtics have already received a non-repayable grant of £5,000 from the Borough Council.  This was used to kick-start their local fund raising to find the additional £215,000 needed to create six new football pitches at Thistle Hill, Calcutt.  But they currently have a funding shortfall, which is why Harrogate Borough Council is prepared to offer them a loan of £35,000, to go alongside Knaresborough Town Council's offer of £20,000.

 

Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for Resources for the Borough Council says that the offer of a loan is being made to assist the club who may lose the Football Foundation grant if all the funding isn't in place within the next few weeks.  "We have always been supportive of Knaresborough Celtics' ambitions.  Our original grant of £5,000 clearly demonstrated that as no other similar club in the district has received direct financial support in terms of council cash contributions.  We rely on commuted sums raised from planning agreements where developers have to put up cash to help provide leisure facilities.

 

"However, the council has always made council staff available to clubs like the Celtics. Professional officer support to voluntary sports clubs is a huge bonus for them when they are trying to secure outside sums.  Knaresborough Celtics have done exceptionally well in their fund raising and we have also worked together on the sports development planning."

 

The next step is for the council to have discussions with the club to finalise the loan details.  The council has also offered to approach the Football Foundation on the club's behalf to seek an extension of their deadline to allow them to have all the funds in place.  Informal discussions have already been held and the Football Foundation was very responsive.

 

Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, added that the Thistle Hill project remains a priority in terms of overcoming the known shortage of sports pitches in the Knaresborough area, which is identified in its playing pitch strategy and action plan.  "We have been very successful in attracting grants over the past few years which, together with financial investment from the council, has led to over £2m worth of investment in sports pitches in the district." 

 

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:  Councillor Andrew Jones Councillor Pat Jones are available for comment on 07720 717463 and 01423 872466.   Media Contact:  Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk