Northants loan on the Council’s agenda

At a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday), part of the agenda will be concerned with whether or not a substantial amount will be offered to assist the county club with the erection of a permanent stand and to help in the development of community cricket.

The temporary stand in front of the new net area at Wantage Road is no longer fit for purpose and will be brought down over the winter with the intention being to put up a permanent structure.

But, as chief executive David Smith stated, this will all cost money and the club’s hope is that an agreement can be reached.

He said: “The temporary stand that we’ve got is no longer fit for purpose and it needs to be replaced.

“The idea is to have a brand spanking 950-seater stand ready for the first Twenty20 game next year which is on May 23.

“There will be a planning process to go through but it is an urgent job.”

“We’ve enquired whether the Council would be able to assist - it would be a loan and it would be for around a million - and we’ll have to see what happens during this week.”

But Smith admitted that the stand is being brought down whether funding is provided or not.

He added: “It was only ever going to be temporary and it’s being knocked down regardless.

“We don’t have the cash reserves to replace it if there is no money available, it’s as simple as that