Clashes over Shay sale as petition claims hidden savings offset losses

COUNCILLORS clashed heatedly over the sale of Halifax's major sports stadium as negotiations for its sale are under way.

- By JOHN GREENWOOD

Scrutiny councillors were debating a 500-signature petition calling on Calderdale Council to review a disposal report for The Shay Stadium - home to football's FC Halifax Town and rugby league's Halifax Panthers.

It included figures which fed into financial decision-making, and following full council Budget approval, Cabinet members agreeing to pursue a sale to rugby league's Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy.

The petitioners claim "hidden" cost savings would have offset estimated losses which triggered the sale process following a Budget decision last year.

They also urge the council to look at developing the wider Shay estate to bring in more income and review consultation processes - they say these did not include for an option to sell the stadium to a private buyer

And they want the council to consider options for joint management of the Shay with a stadium trust instead, as this would "better serve the long-term needs of Calderdale Council, the two clubs and the public, as well as maintain the freehold of The Shay in public control".

But a senior Cabinet member and a senior council officer said the sale was as a result of a need to save money, with the stadium costing much more than its budgeted figure to run every year.

They defended the Budget and consultation processes that had been undertaken.

Answering a question from Coun Joe Thompson (Lab, Town) who said that the petition talked about predetermination of a sale to Mr Davy, Cabinet member for Resources, Coun Silvia Dacre, denied it had been "a done deal".