IT’S decision time.

Councillors will tonight vote on a multi-million-pound, taxpayerfunded bail-out of the Rose Bowl cricket ground.

Critics say that Eastleigh Borough Council’s plan to buy the 999-year lease of the club’s ground and buildings puts £6.5m of public cash at risk.

But supporters argue that funds could breathe new life into the home of Hampshire cricket, create hundreds of jobs, help attract major international sporting events to the area and inject millions of pounds into the local economy.

Separate plans to fund a £30m hotel at the site will also be examined during a pivotal full council meeting tonight.

Finance chiefs have revealed it is “virtually certain” that if the council funding proposals do not progress “there will be no future for the Rose Bowl”.

Bosses at the Rose Bowl have declined to comment on the claim, which appeared in the ‘risk analysis’ section of a council report to be debated tonight.

But in the past, they have told how it is “absolutely crucial that the hotel forms part of the club’s long-term future”.

The Daily Echo exclusively revealed in November how behind-the-scenes discussions had taken place at the Liberal Democrat-controlled council about buying the lease of the 167- acre Rose Bowl site, including the stadium, for £6.5m.

The leaked document also revealed how the Rose Bowl’s finances were “perilous”.

Council leader Councillor Keith House has always maintained that funding plans for the Rose Bowl are justified.

On Tuesday night the council’s resources scrutiny panel cleared the bail-out plan to go forward to tonight’s full council meeting despite warnings from an opposition Conservative councillor.

Cllr John Caldwell said: “I want the Rose Bowl to succeed but I don’t believe it should be the Eastleigh taxpayer that should have to bail them out.”

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, rival hoteliers may launch a fresh legal challenge if the council goes ahead with the funding.