Council struggles to pay Shay bill

CALDERDALE Council must to find another £120,000 for additional fixtures and fittings at the Shay.

But a much bigger sum will still be needed to complete the full renovation of the east stand structure and repairs to the north stand terracing.

Councillors are struggling to find a long-term business plan to keep the Shay operating without further cost to the taxpayer following the ground’s £5m overhaul.

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This includes improvements to the PA system; making steelwork safe, erecting fencing, improving a walkway, checking lightening protection, repairing loose coping stones and the concrete perimeter fence.

Crowd control barriers are also to be tested.

The work has been recommended by the council’s capital programme working group.

Councillor Barry Collins said: “It’s small-scale stuff until we can sort out a way to develop a business plan for the long-term running of the stadium and complete the more major building works.”

Iron girders are still visible at one end of the east stand that was left unfinished. The matter will be discussed at a scrutiny panel meeting tomorrow.