Councillor Charlotte Morris, Cabinet Member for Culture and the Economy, presented the report which provided an update on negotiations with Bury Football Club Supporters Society Ltd (‘BFCSS’), Shakers Community Society Ltd (‘Shakers’) and private benefactors, and requested approval for funding of £450k subject to the conditions set out in the recommendations.
Members voiced their cross-party support for the project, noting that further detail on the ‘library of things’ would be provided. Thanks were extended to all the fans, community groups, benefactors, Council staff, and to the government funding received, which had led to this important step.
Decision:
Subject to the successful outcome of the vote on the proposed merger by the members of Bury Football Club Supporters’ Society Ltd (‘BFCSS’ previously ‘Forever Bury’) and Shakers Community Society Ltd (‘Shakers’), Cabinet -
1. Agreed to commit £450k of funding to Bury Football Club Company Limited, to be used for the purpose outlined within the report;
2. Delegated the detailed terms of the commitment to the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Finance after consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Culture and the Economy, for approval;
3. Agreed that the £450k recommended grant be conditional on:
a. Satisfactory financial diligence on the business plan;
b. Evidence that the match funding from the private benefactors and balance of the grant from the Community Benefit Fund is available;
c. An agreed merger, following a successful outcome of voting by both the BFCSS and Shakers Community Benefit Societies, in line with the structure set out in Appendix 2; and
4. Agreed that the £450k recommended grant be deployed to fund the capital expenditure outlined in the report with the final costs to be determined through tender exercises.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council now has a proposal which meets, or is on the way to meeting, the requirements set out in January when Cabinet considered the principle of providing financial support. There is a business plan which demonstrates financial sustainability. There is clarity on how community benefit will be achieved. Finally, subject to a successful vote by the members of both parties, there will be a merger of Bury Football Club Supporters Society Ltd (‘BFCSS’) and Shakers Community Society Ltd (‘Shakers’).
Bringing professional football back to Gigg Lane will bring pride and optimism to Bury. It will bring back trade to the supply chain of small businesses that previously supported the football club and there will a range of benefits to the communities surrounding Gigg Lane, which include some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the borough. The community benefits will include contributions to the health and culture objectives of the Let’s Do It strategy.
The proposal is for a fan-led club which will avoid the difficulties which caused the previous club to go into administration and to be ejected from the football league. The proposal is based on a merger of Bury Football Club Supporters Society Ltd (‘BFCSS’) and Shakers Community Society Ltd (‘Shakers’) which is the only way to create a financially sustainable club.
Alternative options considered and rejected:
The alternative option is to not provide financial support. This is not recommended as it would not comply with the decision made by Cabinet on 12th January 2022.