21/10/04 - Cllr Tomlinson Puts Forward Motion On County Ground Site

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman has responded to the plea of local football fans in providing Swindon Town FC with help in bringing stadium development at the County Ground site.

A motion will be proposed to the next Full Council meeting, looking to bring together all the relevant parties to make sure all opportunities are explored.

Motion To Full Council - Thursday, November 18th

"In recognition of concerns expressed by residents of the Town, fans of Swindon Town Football Club, and in particular a petition presented by the Swindon Town Supporters' Trust calling on the council to explore opportunities to work with the football club to help redevelop the County Ground, this council calls on council officers and the New Swindon Company to work with the football club and supporters' groups to redevelop the existing County Ground site as part of the town centre redevelopment scheme.

This council believes such a development could form a key gateway to the town centre redevelopment and as such would be in the best interests of the town as a whole."

Proposed Councillor Justin Tomlinson

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, "This motion is crucial, as it helps bring together all the people who can help explore the opportunities for a County Ground redevelopment.  I have worked extremely hard to lay the foundations for this.  It is vitial for the club, the fans and the town that we all work together to safeguard Swindon Town FCs future.  A modern stadium would help the club, and improve our town. Swindon deserves this to work."

"This motion is so important, myself and I believe supporters will be keen to see this gets cross-party support.  I have invited the Labour group (the opposition on the Council) to second this motion."

"With so many alternative sites having been considered over the years, (casuing great frustration and disappointment for fans, the club and the Council) I believe we should make every effort to explore the potential of the existing site.  By bringing all the parties together, we can see if the numbers can stack up.  I am sure the fans would love to see this work, the County Ground is the true home for the club."

"Full credit must go to Swindon Town Supporters Trust who have worked tirelessly to make sure this issue remains a priority for both the club and the Council."