'Public could pay price of rugby stadium deal'

TORIES CLAIM PURCHASE MAY LEAD TO A COUNCIL TAX HIKE

- DECLAN CAREY

A COUNCIL plan to buy the city's community stadium could hit residents in the pocket, the opposition Conservative Group has claimed.

Salford Community Stadium is currently part-owned by the council, which is preparing to buy the remaining 50 per cent from Peel.

Labour's Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett and senior Labour councillors are expected to sign off on the purchase at a town hall cabinet meeting next week, after months of legal haggling.

But the opposition Conservative Group said Labour could hike council tax to pay for the purchase. Mr Dennett disputed the claim from Tory leader Robin Garrido, however and said the deal is a 'sound business decision!