Agenda item

The Chairman stated there had been a ‘call-in’ for a review of the lease to Grantham Town Football Club.

Councillor Matt Bailey called the application in due to the decision previously not being eligible for ‘call-in’. However, following review, the decision was corrected and re-published and then became eligible for ‘call-in’.

The Member highlighted he had expected the decision to come back to the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee, rather than be published as an Officer Delegated Decision. It was felt decisions of this nature should be scrutinised prior to implementation taking place.

The lease to Grantham Town Football Club was discussed by the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee in February 2026, where it was clear the final decision would be considered by Cabinet. At the meeting of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee it was highlighted that any decision made would be predicated over the clubs future ambitions and resulting benefits to the Council and the wider community.

Further clarification was sought around the Officer Delegated Decision and why the decision had not been considered by Cabinet or an Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to a lease being granted.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer outlined he had liaised with the Monitoring Officer and had completed the Officer Delegated Decision in line with the Constitution in terms of leases. The authority to delegate had previously been approved by Full Council. The requirement to expediate certain leases was important, due to the commerciality of them.

Clarification was sought on which Cabinet Members were involved with this decision as it was not clear on the Officer Delegated Decision report.

The Leader of the Council confirmed the lease of Grantham Town Football Club had been discussed at most Executive Briefings over the course of a year. It was noted the lease had been a long-standing matter and there had been understandable reasons due to changes in management and chairmanship of the football club.

The Chairman of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee clarified that discussions around the performance of the football club could not take place until a lease was in place.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure confirmed he had been present at several meetings with the football club alongside the Assistant Director for Culture, Leisure and Place. It was noted that these meetings included the clubs future aspirations and the club had assured they would undertake community work alongside junior and ladies’ football.

It was clarified that the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement was present during Executive Briefings when this matter had been discussed, in line with the consultation within the Constitution.

One Member was pleased to see the lease was being put into place, which would provide more security for the football club.

Historically Grantham Town Football Club resided at land on London Road, Grantham where they owned a parcel of land at the top of the ground. It was understood that once the land was sold, they put the money towards capital costs of building the Meres Leisure Centre, on the condition they would have security and tenure of a pitch.

Clarification was sought on whether the Council had a legal obligation to provide Grantham Town Football Club with a pitch, from an agreement 30 years ago.

The Deputy Leader of the Council clarified Grantham Town Football Club moved from London Road to the Meres in Grantham and secured a 25-year lease. Subject to the end of the lease, negotiation would take place. Unfortunately, the negotiations were interim due to the number of changes in personnel at the Club. It was believed as part of the arrangement, the balance of the funding was considered in the lease given to the Club.

The Chairman of Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed their support for the new management of the football club and was pleased with the current direction of travel.

The reason for the call-in of the lease of Grantham Town Football Club was merely due to the process and that the Officer Delegated Decision had been stated as ‘not for call-in’ on the website.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED:

‘Under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public may be excluded from the meeting during any listed items of business, on the grounds that if they were to be present, exempt information could be disclosed to them as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Act.’

(The Committee returned into open session at 11:13).

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED

1. Consider the terms of the proposed lease between the Council and Grantham Town Football Club.

2. For Officers to proceed with the process of the lease for Grantham Town Football Club.