Sports pitch fees hike is ‘called in’ by other parties
Opposition wants closer look at council plan:
SPORTS clubs from across Bridgend have issued grave warnings to the local authority, saying they will be forced to close if they have to pay a proposed increase in charges for pitches and pavilions of 500%.
The decision to hike fees was taken by Bridgend County Borough Council’s cabinet on October 22, prompting a call-in by Plaid group leader Tim Thomas.
The move has provoked an outcry across the county, with people saying players will be priced out from taking part in matches, clubs won’t be able to afford to carry on and facilities will be lost.
On Monday, November 4, around 30 to 40 representatives from football, rugby, cricket and bowls clubs gathered to take part in a meeting scrutinising the decision.
Many spoke to voice their shock at the policy and urge councillors to rethink the move.
Nantyffyllon RFC chairman Terry Boast said the club would go bust if it had to pay the proposed charges, adding the only way it could carry on would be to play every game away, which would be a joke.
He said: “Currently we have 12 teams with around 400 playing members. With the proposed costs, it’s going to cost us nigh on £1,000 every week.
“I think everyone here will appreciate there’s no way any club in the valley or the borough will be able to afford that.
“The very people that have been shoving health and wellbeing down our throats for the past three or four years are the ones which look as though they’ve got no respect for it whatsoever.”
John Sawyer, from Bridgend Sports RFC, called the charges “eyewatering” while Pencoed RFC’s chairman Stephen Davies said the decision was appalling and draconian, adding that cabinet members should hang their heads in shame.
He said the increased charges would see the club’s costs rise by more than £30k over the rugby season.
Alun Bunston from Bridgend Town Cricket Club said the club was due to celebrate its 180th anniversary next year, but it would be its last year if the fee increases went ahead.
And Dr Richard Lewis, from Maesteg Harlequins RFC, called the increase “shameful, excessive, ridiculous, misguided, ill-informed and shortsighted”.
The Wyndham Bowls Club chairman Paul White criticised the council for not communicating more with clubs, adding that the club of 30 members constantly invited councillors and officers but no-one came.
The lack of communication and engagement with clubs was a common criticism, as well as concerns that if sports clubs disappeared there would be increasing pressures on health services, with rising cases of obesity and mental health issues.
Michelle Mitchell, secretary of Porthcawl Town Athletic FC minis and juniors, said sport gave both children and adults the chance to experience winning and losing as well the chance to socialise and take part in physical activity.
She said: “I’m speaking from the heart – please don’t do it, we are going to be stopping a new generation from playing.”
Sports clubs also spoke of the number of girls and women taking part in football and rugby clubs, saying it was wrong to think the council subsidies only benefited men.
Several club representatives compared the local authority’s approach to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, saying it had sent out a message to clubs last week reassuring them it wouldn’t be taking the same approach and highlighting its recent £2m investment in outdoor sports facilities.
But Bridgend Council officers said Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was the exception, with local authorities in Neath Port Talbot, Vale of Glamorgan, Blaenau Gwent and Carmarthen having all adopted similar policies to BCBC and others in Wales considering the approach.
During the meeting a number of opposition councillors highlighted their own concerns, with Councillor Alex Williams (Independent) saying the hike in fees would have a devastating effect on grassroots sports, forcing many clubs which represented the “social heart of communities” to close.
Cabinet member for communities Richard Young said he had “immense sympathy” for the arguments being made and the council knew the value of sport in the county, but after 10 years of austerity the council had to protect statutory services like education and social services.
He said: “Over the last ten years we have lost £36m, we have to cut another £30m over the next four years. We can’t do that and continue in the way we have done.
“There is nowhere left to go, we have literally hit the buffers.”
Bridgend Council’s chief executive Mark Shepherd admitted the situation was stark.
He said: “The operating model we have is not sustainable, a long-term solution is needed.
“The council’s strategy is actually that none of the clubs take on the fees but clubs and town and community councils take on the facilities through community asset transfers.
“The charges are there as a guideline in the event that some clubs are unable or unwilling to take on a CAT transfer or licence or greater responsibility.”
Officers warned that by doing nothing facilities would close, saying six sports pavilions had already closed and more were under threat due to the level of maintenance required and lack of money.
Deputy leader Hywel Williams told those present at the meeting he would take on board the criticism about the lack of communication but it was up to the public to get involved when consultations were taking place.
He said: “This is the 59th minute of the 11th hour – we have been two years on this process. The CAT process is not new by any means.”
He admitted the cost of a new fund being set up to help mini and junior teams was likely to be passed on to council tax payers if it couldn’t be found elsewhere.
The hike in charges is due to come in next September.
Council officers have said that Newbridge Fields will be the subject of a separate strategy due to the number of clubs that use the on-site facilities.