Shropshire Star

TNS grant investigation: New twist over board which went 'dormant'

A row over an alleged unpaid repayment grant from Shropshire-based The New Saints football club has taken another twist after it was revealed that the board the money was supposed to be paid to went 'dormant' in 2013.

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The Venue, home of The New Saints

Last week, following an investigation by private investigator Paul Wiseman, information surrounding an £80,000 grant to The New Saints in Oswestry was revealed.

Mr Wiseman, who was instructed by private clients to look into the matter, discovered a chain of emails regarding the grant which was agreed back in 2012.

He alleges the money was never paid back, and presented his findings to Oswestry Town Council, which has asked Shropshire Council for more information on the matter.

The money was for TNS to build extra seating to allow them to compete in European competitions - and the club has said it has met its "outputs and objectives".

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The money given by Shropshire Council, was due to be paid back to Oswestry Town Council through the Oswestry Joint Economic Board, however that went dormant in 2013, with questions remaining if any money has been paid back since that date.

A spokesman for Shropshire Council said: "A formal grant offer agreement was produced by Shropshire Council setting out the terms and conditions of the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme grant.

"The terms of the grant agreement between Shropshire Council and New Saints FC Limited, as the grant applicant, specified that the applicant would deliver grants of £16,000 per annum for a period of five years for purposes to be agreed by the Oswestry Joint Economic Board – this was reliant on projects being established by the Board.

“The agreement stated that the criteria of these grants would be agreed by the Oswestry Joint Economic Board, with delivery of the annual grants from 1st January 2013. The Board went dormant in 2013.

“The grant mechanism used dated back to 2011 and followed the financial rules within the authority. Shropshire Council continually evolves its formal procedures when issuing grants and has robust mechanisms in place.”

Last week the Saints, who have competed in European competitions for many years, admitted the money was for the installation of 500 seats, and said they have met their funding agreement.

A statement said: "We confirm that the club has fully met all of the grant outputs and deliverables outlined in the Grant Funding Agreement."

The club outlined in a further statement that since their existence at their Park Hall base they have added £4 million to the local economy.

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