Councillor resigns from Conservative group

A councillor has resigned as a member of the Conservative group following a legal row between Shropshire Council and The New Saints Football Club.

Cllr Matt Lee, who is operations manager at The Venue in Park Hall – home of TNS – said he made his decision in light of the way the unitary authority has responded to the dispute.

The football club received £80,000 in 2012 as part of the council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme to build a stand that could be used in European competitions.

It was revealed earlier this year that only £10,000 had been paid back.

The council is now seeking legal action to recover the remaining funds, but Mike Harris, owner of TNS, has said paying it back was voluntary and is demanding an apology from the unitary authority for damaging his reputation.

Cllr Lee said: “I believe the matter could have been dealt with in a much more timely and effective manner by Shropshire Council.

“I have a real passion for the club and the benefit I can see the club having, not only on my children’s lives but the lives of all of the children both the club and The Foundation effect on a daily basis.

“The organisation reaches and provides activities for well in excess of 1000 children on a weekly basis. These young people are the life blood of this town and The New Saints FC has played a significant part to enable all of this to happen.”

Cllr Lee said he will continue to serve as councillor for Llanymynech as an independent until the dispute is resolved.