SNP councillors in South Lanarkshire have been “inundated” with emails and phone calls from angry junior sports clubs and concerned parents regarding the Labour minority council's decision to alter the level of concession for using sports facilities.
Certain clubs are now facing a significant 114% hike in fees.
A change.org petition calling for the decision to be reversed has already reached over 3000 signatures.
During the council meeting on 22nd February, a report proposed changes to concessionary rates for under 16s clubs, leisure facilities, and hall lets. Although the SNP opposed the changes, the Labour/Lib Dem coalition administration, backed by the Tories and Independent Group, voted to implement them. As a result, the changes were approved with a vote of 34 to 27.
UTD Sports Football Academy, based in Cambuslang, expressed serious concern at the changes which will see their pitch costs rise by 114% for their affiliated junior teams. The football academy said: “This astronomical increase has been relayed to all clubs with only 3 weeks notice. This will put extreme stress on local grassroots clubs to afford training & match day facilities at a time when everyone is already finding it hard.
“If this is to continue then it is likely several clubs will cease to exist leaving countless children and young people without access to weekly football. This will have a negative effect on both the social and mental wellbeing of our children and young people.
“We would urge all parents and coaches of all clubs in South Lanarkshire to contact their local councillors and put pressure on them to reconsider these abhorrent increases.”
The SNP councillor for Cambuslang, Katy Loudon, tweeted: “I've never received so many emails on one issue in such a short period. People are rightly furious and very worried. All of our @SNPSouthLan group voted against this concession cut. The Administration need to own this, and explain how they will support local clubs, and quickly.”
I've never received so many emails on one issue in such a short period. People are rightly furious and very worried. All of our @SNPSouthLan group voted against this concession cut. The Administration need to own this, and explain how they will support local clubs, and quickly. https://t.co/4Qx1GZ80lA
— Cllr Katy Loudon (@KatyLoudonSNP) March 14, 2023
An SNP Council Group spokesperson called the whole situation “avoidable.” They added: “The sustainability of many local clubs is now a real concern.
“We proposed a budget which included £2m additional funding to SLLC which would have removed the need for this level of price increase. The administration and their pals need to own this decision and explain how they will support local clubs and do so quickly.”
