Huge sports club fee rise scrapped in Walsall

Initial proposals to remove a £90,000 council subsidy to the likes of football, cricket and bowls clubs were put forward last year but put on hold after a public backlash.

The now Labour-run authority has agreed not to push ahead with the plan despite the need to save £29 million next year.

Instead, the authority is now planning a 10 per cent increase of club fees which would come into force from April next year.

A report says: "Council on 27 February 2014 agreed for the proposed saving for the removal of subsidies for the maintenance of grass sports facilities (£90k) be deferred by one year until 2015/16.

"Cabinet have reviewed this proposal and do not wish to proceed with this in 2015/16."

Under the previous proposals, annual fees for bowls clubs were earmarked to rise from £810 to £6,605 and costs for junior football teams from £382 to £1,618.

But clubs claimed the costs were unmanageable and said it would lead to many folding.

But Walsall's leisure and culture chief, Councillor Khizar Hussain today said: "We have decided against going forward with full cost recovery as many clubs have told us they simply cannot afford to pay such exorbitant fees and would likely fold, which would mean fewer people being able to participate in leisure activities.

"Instead, we feel a 10 per cent increase would be more manageable for our local clubs, which would come into effect from April 1, 2015."

The move has been welcomed by Cynthia Bratt, of Pleck Sons of Rest bowls club which uses Pleck Park and has been running around 50 years.

The 76-year-old, of the Yew Tree Estate, Delves, said: "That's absolutely wonderful news.

"That's made my Christmas. It was a big worry. We love the social side of it. Some of the people have heart problems and arthritis. It's exercise for them and it gets them out of the house.

"We wouldn't have been able to afford the hike in price. They are pensioners. The club would have folded.

"The green would have been left to go to rack and ruin."

It comes after the council made a U-turn on plans to bring in charges at free car parks from April in Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall.

It had been hoped to rake in £100,000 next year.

A report to council said the impact of the two changes was £190,000 and alternative funding would have to be identified.

The authority needs to save £86m over four years.

The draft proposals will go before full council in February when they will approve the final budget.