Cornwall Council will meet next month to decide on whether the proposed Stadium for Cornwall project should receive any public funding.
Council Leader Adam Paynter pledged in January that any decision on whether the Council should provide capital funding to support this private sector-led project would be considered by Cabinet and then by Full Council.
Yesterday’s Cabinet’s recommendation will now be considered by all Council members at their meeting on April 17.
Cornwall Council cabinet member for Planning and Economy Bob Egerton said: “I’d like to thank our six Cornish MPs for the support that they have given to Cornwall for this project. There was a full and frank debate today with strong views expressed both for and against.
“The Cabinet were very clear in voting today to allow the full council to make the final decision on a Stadium for Cornwall that this was not a definitive vote of support but rather an opportunity to buy time for the project to present a robust business case and secure a firm funding commitment from government.
“The proposal is for a Stadium for the whole of Cornwall and Cabinet members believe that every Cornwall Councillor has a role to play in making the final decision. They now have the opportunity to represent the views of their electorate in making a final decision, based on all available information.”
The partners behind the project – the Cornish Pirates, Truro and Penwith College and Truro City Football Club – welcomed the decision to put it to a council vote.
Martin Tucker, a director at Truro and Penwith College, speaking yesterday on behalf of the Stadium partners, said: “We welcome today’s vote and appreciate Cornwall Council Cabinet’s vision and ambition for Cornwall in their support of the officer’s recommendation, and for allowing Cornwall councillors the opportunity to take a final vote on the matter at its full council meeting on April 17.
“In particular, the partners are pleased that the Cabinet recognised the many benefits that the stadium will deliver for residents and employers across Cornwall, including the facilitation and the promotion of Cornish sport, business, our cultural life, and our collective Cornish identity and well-being. It is a welcome boost for Cornwall’s economy and a vote of confidence in Cornish youth and their aspirations and ambitions.
“While we recognise that today’s vote represents a significant milestone in the development of the project, we continue to work together, and in partnership with Cornwall Council, Greenwich Leisure Limited and the Cornwall Sports Partnership to fully realise these benefits and bring the Stadium for Cornwall to fruition.
“We can assure the people of Cornwall that together, we are confident that the stadium will become a sustainable and lasting legacy that will make Cornwall proud and we urge the 123 Cornwall councillors to support this view on April 17.”
