Decision details

Amendments to Ownership and Control Arrangements: Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (Update)

Decision Maker: Executive Director for Place

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The decision achieves a council objective of disposing of its entire shareholding in KSDL and ceasing to be responsible for the operation of the Accu (formerly John Smith) Stadium (Leeds Road Huddersfield), other than as freeholder.

 

It will enable the Council to obtain possession and freehold ownership of the Gasworks Street site which is necessary for regeneration purposes.

The surrender of the Council’s lease of the Swimming pool facility will relieve it of liability under the lease to KSDL. The restructuring will mitigate the Council’s liabilities.  Various alternative structural changes have been considered previously, but these have not been successfully implemented. This arrangement has features that are advantageous over previous proposals.

Decision:

         That the councils shareholding in KSDL be transferred to Huddersfield Town Association Football Club Limited (HTAFC)

         That as a part of this arrangement certain other property transfers, financial arrangements and restructuring are undertaken.

         That share transfer and restructuring of leases and other arrangement’s by Huddersfield Rugby League Football Club (HRLFC), Huddersfield Sporting Pride Ltd (HSP) and one other person be conditional on the effecting of these recommendations

         The service director Legal, Governance and Commissioning be authorised to enter into and execute on the Council’s behalf any necessary documentation or instruments in relation to the above matters

 

Publication date: 30/10/2025

Date of decision: 18/09/2025

Accompanying Documents: