The SNP Group at South Lanarkshire Council have today submitted a call for an urgent Special Meeting of South Lanarkshire Council. They are calling on their fellow Councillors to support them to reverse the decision to slash concessionary rates for under-16s sports lets.
Following the decision taken by the Council’s Administration on 22nd February, supported by the Tories, local clubs and teams were told that they would be faced with astronomical price rises of 114%. Many expressed their fears that clubs and teams would struggle to survive in the face of this rise.
In response, hundreds of local clubs, young people, parents and supporters came together to protest the cuts, and are due to hold another protest today [Wednesday 26th April].
SLLC have announced that the changes will be ‘paused’ so that consultation can take place with local clubs. However, the SNP say that consultation sessions were poorly advertised, were not badged as sessions to talk specifically about this issue, and will all take place in one area – at Chatelherault Country Park.
Under the Council’s Standing Orders, 16 Councillors can call for a Special Meeting of the Council. In order for the decision to be reversed, two-thirds of Councillors will have to vote to suspend the usual rules at the start of the meeting.
An SNP spokesperson said:
“There’s been an incredible amount of anger and fear amongst local grassroots clubs and teams over these cuts. As the young people themselves have said – they don’t deserve this.
“The so-called ‘consultation’ process has been farcical so far and feels like an attempt to brush community concerns under the carpet.
“We are giving the Lab-Lib Administration the chance to do the right thing and vote for the chance for us all to properly debate and discuss what our communities have being telling us will happen to clubs if this mess is not sorted out.
“Council recently voted to pause the rollout of an increase to community alarm charges, even though this led to other funds having to be found. This is a similar situation, and it is a matter of political will. We are hopeful that they will listen to clubs’ and teams’ concerns and do the right thing – these cuts need scrapped entirely.”
Cllr Cal Johnston-Dempsey 