Proposals to pay Chelsea £59,000 were up for debate at the meeting of the full council on Monday (July 16).

Sutton Council plans to pay the 7th richest club in the world the money to run education initiatives including a healthy eating programme and a scheme to tackle absenteeism.

At the meeting, the argument was drawn along party lines, with the Liberal Democrats siding with the proposals and the Conservatives, along with Labour councillor John Keys, against the plans.

Representatives from Crystal Palace, Carshalton Athletic, Sutton United, and Sutton Junior Tennis Centre weighed into the debate, calling for the council to look again at the proposals .

Paul Dipre, owner and manager of Carshalton Athletic, asked the council: "Would it not be wise to put he current decision on hold and to spend a few weeks talking to Carshalton and Sutton to establish who can deliver the best value and effective programme?"

Jill Whitehead, chairwoman of the environment and neighbourhoods committee, said it was down to the "strength and the draw" of Chelsea, but told Mr Dipre: "Lets keep talking".

Keith Sohl, from Sutton Junior Tennis Centre, said: "Why has there been no discussion with us as to what role we could have performed in addressing the various social issues involved with this project?"

Councillor Whitehead replied: "We are more than happy to discuss the roles and we intend to involve other clubs."

Councillor Tony Shields proposed the existing recommendations should be scrapped, but it was voted down by the controlling Lib Dem party.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Lester Holloway angered Crystal Palace representatives when he said the highly successful Kickz programme, had been "ok".

Fellow Lib Dem Councillor, Dave Callahan, told the meeting: "These are very exciting proposals.  It will help tackle absenteeism because only children who attend school will be able to go to Chelsea."

Colin Morris, from the Crystal Palace foundation, told the council: "Rather than taking money off the council, we have brought at least £80k into the borough. We have invested heavily and play a important role in the community."