Published 14 December 2023
Organisations running sports clubs for young people are to receive up to 50% discount on their let.
Members of Educational Services agreed to the reduction in let charges of 50% for the hire of Grass Pitches and 20% for Synthetic Pitches for groups who use schools to run clubs for children under the age of 18.
The reduction in charges is in response to feedback received from clubs following a cost review of the of lets which highlighted West Dunbartonshire as one of the only councils not offering some form of discounted rate for youth groups.
Information was shared with members of the Educational Services Committee this week, where it was agreed to review current usage which could increase revenue and capacity across the school estate.
The review will consider maximising lets which could include offering facilities outwith school holidays and opening pitches on a Sunday.
Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “I am pleased to see this being agreed as young people under 18 years of age account for around 60% of the total lets within our educational establishments. We have listened to feedback from clubs who use our facilities and it is right that we bring our charges in line with other Scottish authorities.”
Councillor John Millar, Vice Chair of Educational Services, said: “The Council values the need to offer lets to young people and their families and it is important that costs to hire our school pitches are affordable. We do not want any barriers to encouraging young people to keep active in West Dunbartonshire as I know how important having access to high quality sports facilities is to our young people, sports clubs, and the wider communities.
It will also see pitches within our Primary schools estate available to Under 18 Groups and I am pleased to see this approved and the financial benefits this will bring to local clubs.”