Costs up for children at Dudley activity centre
Parents in Dudley will have to pay more money to send their children to an outdoor activities centre under council plans to meet rising food and fuel bills.
It is the fourth increase in four years for visitors to Astley Burf Outdoor Adventure Centre near Dudley.
If the plans are approved, fees for one week's stay will rise from £105 to £107, a four day visit will go up from £85 to £87 and a weekend trip will increase by £1 to £55. The new fees, if agreed by council bosses, will come into force from September.
Activities organised and provided at the centre are available to schools at a cost of £270 per school per visit.
Activities include team building challenges, archery, a climbing wall and low ropes. Schools also have the option to organise their own activities.
Cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Tim Crumpton, said: "The centre is a charitable trust and has been improved through lottery funding. Astley Burf offers children a learning experience outside of the classroom, and the opportunity to be away from the home environment.
"The cost of food and gas has risen above inflation and it is necessary to make an increase above this rate.
"The centre is well utilised by Dudley schools and youth groups and offers a favourable price to ensure that as many children benefit from this lovely, exciting facility."
He added: "The centre has been well utilised this year and is attracting additional bookings which enables it to recover all operating costs.
"The increase in charges is not expected to have an adverse affect on bookings as the centre is well utilised."
The property was passed to the council by a deed of gift in 1938 under which the council hold the property as trustees for the benefit of the young people of the borough.
In December the council approved a raft of increased charges for council services in Dudley.
They will come into force for a range of bereavement, leisure centre and museum services across the borough from next month.
The rises have been brought in as the authority continues its battle to meet savings of £27 million during the next three years.
Changes to leisure centre charges will see the cost of an adult swimming session rise from £3.80 to £4 and the price of a session for a junior or pensioner go up from £2.40 to £2.50.
Elsewhere fees for hiring rooms at council venues have also been increased.
