Wellington Rugby Club failed to send anyone to a meeting where councillors were discussing whether or not to back the sports organisation with a £3,000 grant.

The club had applied to Wellington Town Council for the grant support to help towards replacing existing floodlights with modern energy-efficient LED floodlights.

But members of the council’s policy and finance committee were somewhat disappointed and surprised that nobody from the club was at their meeting on October 12 to speak in support of the application or to answer any questions.

“If the rugby club can’t be bothered to send anyone to attend the meeting, perhaps we should defer making a decision on this?” said Cllr Janet Lloyd.

Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “I wish there was someone from the club here tonight so we could ask them questions.”

The discussion about the grant application divided opinions on the committee with Cllr Lloyd asking why the club could not pay for the project itself or get financial backing from the national Rugby Football Union.

“This application has come from an organisation which is almost a business – so I’m not so keen on supporting this one,” added Cllr Lithgow.

Cllr Andy Govier said: “I think we should be supporting this.”

Committee chairman, Cllr Justin Cole, said: “I think we should be supporting this. They’ve done so much of their own fundraising and using their own funds. Admittedly, the fact that the club hasn’t got anyone here this evening for the meeting isn’t helpful.”

Councillors voted four-to-three in supporting the application – although a final decision will rest with the full council on November 2 as the £3,000 will push the authority over its grants budget.

Cllr Cole added: “I’d suggest that a representative of the rugby club rocks up at the full council meeting – it would be in their best interests.”