Gloucester City Council has confirmed that it will not reverse its recent decision to raise fees for hiring sports pitches, despite concerns from opposition councillors that the increases threaten grassroots sports clubs in the city.
Earlier this year, the council raised charges for football and cricket pitches at sites including Plock Court, Tuffley Park, and King George V playing field in Hucclecote. The price to hire an adult football pitch increased from £55 to £70, while youth football teams face a rise from £28 to £42. Cricket teams also saw a substantial hike, with adult wicket hire fees up from £63 to £90 and youth rates from £30.50 to £45.
Rugby pitch fees were adjusted upwards as well, from £55 to £70 for adults and from £28 to £35 for youth teams. In addition, the cost to hire changing rooms rose from £9.50 to £15.
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Conservative councillors have voiced strong opposition to the fee rises. Deputy group leader Sajid Patel (Barton and Tredworth) criticised the decision at a recent city council meeting, stating:
“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. Grassroots clubs have not even been consulted on this. Sadly this decision will literally risk tearing the roots out of grassroots sports clubs.”
He urged the council to reconsider and suggested implementing a gradual increase over several years to allow clubs time to adjust financially.
In response, Liberal Democrat Councillor Sebastian Field (Podsmead), cabinet member responsible for the environment, explained that the fee increases were approved as part of the council’s budget in February. He pointed out that the council is facing significant financial challenges, including the need to repay a multi-million pound emergency Government bailout loan.
“We have got to make a significant amount of savings and it is one of the ways we are doing that,” Cllr Field said. “The fees had not been increased for a long time, and our charges remain below those of comparable authorities. We were not covering the cost of our services. This increase is a way to get more towards covering the cost.”
The debate highlights the tension between supporting community sports and managing council finances during a period of economic strain. While the council maintains the increases are necessary, local opposition voices fear the higher costs could reduce access to sport, especially for young people in deprived areas.