By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
A controversial hike to fees for hiring sports pitches in Gloucester will not be reversed, council chiefs say amid concerns it “risks tearing the roots out of grassroots clubs”.
Gloucester City Council’s decision earlier this year to increase how much it charges to book football and cricket pitches at Plock Court, Tuffley Park and King George V playing field in Hucclecote has sparked public outcry.
Football pitches now cost £70 to hire for adults up from £55 last year. And it is now £42 for youth teams up from £28.
For cricket teams the price of hiring a wicket has risen from £63 to £90 for adults and for cricket youth teams it has risen from £30.50 to £45.
The fees for rugby pitches have also been increased from £55 for adults and £28 for youth teams to £70 and £35 respectively. While changing rooms now cost £15 to hire up from £9.50 last year.
The move is opposed by Conservative opposition councillors at North Warehouse who have called on the Liberal Democrats to “do the right thing” and halt the increase.
Deputy group leader Sajid Patel (C, Barton and Tredworth) raised concerns over the hike at the most recent city council meeting.
He said the price increase will make it less accessible for sports clubs and young people from deprived areas at a time when it should be made easier for people to stay active.
“This ill-thought-out plan to put up financial barriers and expect people to pay more to hire an outdoor football pitch will undermine community clubs,” he told the meeting on July 16.
“It’s just simply wrong. Grassroots clubs have not even been consulted on this.
“Sadly this decision will literally risk tearing the roots out of grassroots sports clubs.”
He asked if the council would “do the right thing” and halt the increase.
Cllr Patel suggested instead that the council should explore a phased price increase over a few years which clubs could better plan for.
But Liberal Democrat Councillor Sebatian Field (Podsmead), who is the cabinet member responsible for the environment, said the increases in the fees were approved by the council when the budget was passed in February.
He explained that rises are needed due to the council’s financial challenges as they work to repay a multi-million emergency Government bailout loan.
“I know the Conservative group voted against, other opposition councillors did vote for the budget,” he said.
“So it’s a bit disappointing to hear some people now complaining about this after voting in favour of them.”
He explained the increase in charges was done because of the financial predicament the council is in.
“We have got to make a significant amount of savings and it is one of the ways we are doing that,” he said.
Cllr Field also explained that the fees had not been increased for a long time and that Gloucester’s were far below what comparable authorities are charging.
“We were not covering the cost of our services. This increase is a way to get more towards covering the cost.”
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