A sub-committee with full council powers has been set up to explore the proposal which could see the IFA Championship club take on a management and grounds maintenance role while the local authority would be responsible for maintenance of structures and buildings.

It follows a special meeting on Monday of last week at which six councillors, including club chairman David Hilditch and director Jim McClurg, declared an “interest” before leaving the chamber.

Responding to queries from a number of members about how council deals with leasing, Director of Building Services Stephen Johnston explained that most go through the Estates Management sub-committee.

He continued that council has an existing lease from when the club was represented by trustees, however Carrick Rangers is now a limited company. He added that the Local Government Auditor has indicated the proposal “seems reasonable”.

Mr Johnston also advised the meeting it was his understanding the proposal needs be dealt with as expeditiously as possible, preferably before the end of August.

Councillor Jim Brown proposed: “This matter needs to be resolved and the only way is by a committee of this council.”

Indicating his backing, Councillor Roy Beggs said: “I would support the creation of such a sub-committee because so many members have declared an interest.”

The committee is to comprise three DUP councillors, two UUP, one Alliance and one Ratepayers Voice representative.

Speaking to the TIMES afterwards in his capacity as club chairman Mr Hilditch said with interim licences being issued in August “the club would best placed to take this forward with the potential to draw down funding and potential to attract private investment”.

He added that Carrick Rangers FC as it exists now does not have an agreement with council and “this has to be ratified one way or the other”.

It is understood that in 1985 the trustees of the football club entered into a 75 year lease agreement with council.