Pre-Match Thread HMRC v SUFC - FINAL hearing on 1st March. DISMISSED

[Linda Loan Shark]

The new works are now scheduled for pre-season timing to start and it seems they are awaiting planning approval anyway (fair wind etc) There are no guarantees atm on all that. Hopefully it will be resolved soon as will the loan. Again we just don't know on that score either.

We were of course told that it would be full steam ahead once the new training pitches were ready but that is not happening timescale wise either.

I thought we had planning approval?

Maybe thats what the hold up is with the bridging loan? They want confirmation that planning has been approved.

Eight working days to get this through. Ron is right about one thing(first time ever), its going to be close.

I cant imagine that we might only have 3 games left. Something must happen to change our current problems.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

The training ground not finished yet. It’s getting closer, I expect it’s be ready by April.

 

[Sammy Shrimper]

For anyone interested in the planning angle in all this.
I see the decision is delegated and had Determination Deadline of 13/12/22 (when did we first here of bridging loans being agreed?). That was missed....so not much of a deadline...perhaps more of a loose ambition.
The Agreed Expiry Date is 05/04/23.

22/01528/FULM | Phased erection of football stadium replacing Phases 1A and 2A of the phased Fossetts Farm planning permission 17/00733/FULM: Phase 1A comprises east, west, south stands, changing rooms; ticket office; club shop; food

publicaccess.southend.gov.uk

As you know my interest is the assumption (no proof or evidence) that a bridging loan would naturally have a condition or require that planning approval is in place regarding the security concerned (maybe that vacating B&L only generates the funding IF the planning is also in place). This would initial have been expected before Xmas?

Anyone any feedback from SBC, planning officers, councillors on the obvious delays?

Suspect your assumption is correct.

The Deadline Determination date is the date the case planning officer should have made their decision. However, in this case it looks like the case officer and RM have agreed a long stop date to determine the amendment to the original planning consent.
Ultimately RM could go to appeal to force a decision, but that would add at least another 6-9 months to the process and rightly p!ss off SBC.
Let’s hope that SBC’s planning dept pull their fingers out soon!

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

I am surprised no one visited the training ground this afternoon to see if they still working on it or they put a barrier up and stopped.

 

[rlb999]

You heard any players put in transfer requests

Different players will have different outlooks and different commitments they need to meet. We shouldn't blame them them if / when some of them break ranks and look for an employer who will actually pay them.

I’m guessing they all have the figure of 01 March in their heads which is two weeks away. If Ron secures funding, they’ll likely get paid and all will be good until the summer. If he doesn’t, they are all free agents anyway.

 

[rararblue]

Wonder if Ron is keeping any money that comes in this month aside, to fund an appeal if March the first, goes wrong.
Hence, why we are not paying the players
If March 1st goes in our favour (more time), perhaps the players will be paid then.

 

[kentblues]

Suspect your assumption is correct.

The Deadline Determination date is the date the case planning officer should have made their decision. However, in this case it looks like the case officer and RM have agreed a long stop date to determine the amendment to the original planning consent.
Ultimately RM could go to appeal to force a decision, but that would add at least another 6-9 months to the process and rightly p!ss off SBC.
Let’s hope that SBC’s planning dept pull their fingers out soon!

But this is the point- as always SBC are hiding at the back, out of sight out of mind. Why aren't these protests marching via the council offices - after all they may very well have a major part in holding everything up. Miss a deadline by a week or two but three months in the current scenario with the potential consequences....what was the phrase progress is "slower the the Council and the Club would like" (is this a not so subtle pointer?)

 

[stewart]

I think the SBC will have a lot to answer for should SUFC cease to exist after March1.

 

[ironfighter]

I don`t know if it`s been queried before but do the PFA step in if players don`t receive their wages after a certain time ?

 

[in the know]

@in the know is Ron’s cleaner

@in the know is Ron’s cleaner

Amazing what info you can find in his wheelie bins

 

[in the know]

I don`t know if it`s been queried before but do the PFA step in if players don`t receive their wages after a certain time ?

I believe the pfa don't apply that to the NL unfortunately.

 

[ironfighter]

Thanks,just me clutching at straws.

 

[in the know]

Thanks,just me clutching at straws.

I wish they did and would like someone to correct me.
Though last time it happened, some amounts were not immediately passed on to the players who had to get the pfas legal people involved. It got resolved eventually.

 

[Hooly]

Oh, and I think there should be a third option on the poll - adjourned. Because I think it will be (even though it's been marked "Final").

@fbm Whilst a court is always reluctant to act in these cases I do really wonder if option 3 is in fact realistic simply because RM/the club have been told a number of times before not to use HMRC as a bank. I don't believe that is just rumour as I'm pretty sure it was reported as the judge's actual comments. Those cases were more when RM was stretching the payment terms rather than the large apocalyptic events like now.

My recollection is also that he's been told that even if settlement is made the judge or I think HMRC could still enforce the winding up petition if they believe the company will not be in a position to pay future debts. That may have been around the 2010 £2.4m & I'd need to gen up on the statute. But I think there is a possibility that RM raises £1.4m to pay £1.4m & the judge could say thanks very much, debt settled but I know you'll only do it again so into Liquidation/Administration you go.

As I say I'm not 100% certain & I'm a commercial accountant rather than a practice one or lawyer but I think the judge has an amount of discretion. Probably goes away if RM finds £5m down the back of his sofa like last time.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I personally don't think we will be wound up on the 1st March. I think he will pay all the money, or some of the money, with proof of more to come, or he will take us into Administration. Administration is horrendous, but obviously not the final nail. and not a winding up. The problem for him with that is we will then need a new owner or new funder, and all control passes to the Administrator. I'm not an expert, so please tell me if I have any of my understanding wrong.

 

[Smiffy]

I am surprised no one visited the training ground this afternoon to see if they still working on it or they put a barrier up and stopped.

There's nothing further to do there Murkey. Well until Ron finds the money to complete it properly a few years down the line.

It's the same as it was in December. Some grass pitches (must be pretty long by now) some Col-Ewe esque looking fencing, a water tank, a flood pond and some tarmac.

 

[class]

Another thing to bear in mind with players not being paid, is that their pension schemes will also have not been paid into by the club for a couple of months now. It might not seem much to begin with, but that 'few hundred quid' when not invested will miss out on future years of compounding and investment growth, and could easily wipe £x,000 off their final pension value when they come to retire.

 

[londonshrimper.]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625927444828983296

All of the hard work by Maher, the coaching staff and the players themselves about to be so easily undone, especially given we're in the playoffs as it stands.

 

[amsemp]

Not as it stands.

What about now?

 

[Cricko]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1625927444828983296

All of the hard work by Maher, the coaching staff and the players themselves about to be so easily undone, especially given we're in the playoffs as it stands.

That's all we need, but you cannot blame them.