Sporting charges views continue to be welcomed

RESPONSES to consultation on proposed charges for Carmarthenshire County Council sporting facilities are still being welcomed.

People are urged to make their views known as part of the wide ranging exercise, and responses will continue to be accepted until August 25.

This can be done online at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk via Twitter or Facebook, by post or phone.

There are also a number of information exchange days being held across the county throughout August.

The drop-in sessions will run from 3pm-7pm on each day, people can either fill in a form and/or speak to staff.

There will be officers present to provide support and guidance around options such as asset transfer, grant funding, grounds maintenance and any other issues.

The extensive consultation follows a decision made by the council earlier this year to freeze proposed increases until March 2015.

The council maintains 59 sporting facilities, but there are approximately 70 other sporting clubs in the county – mainly in the Carmarthen area – that support and maintain themselves.

With continued pressure on financial resources, the council is unable to continue subsidising clubs at the current level, and is seeking people’s views and suggestions towards finding a charging structure – or alternative options – that will help ensure these facilities can be enjoyed for generations to come.

All sporting clubs and organisations in the county – whether they are subsidised or support themselves – are being asked for their views, along with all town and community councils.

All ideas and suggestions made during the consultation will be considered, as well as a number of potential options, including an amended fee structure, a reduction in specification or frequency of maintenance in order to reduce costs, and asset transfer.

Following the consultation, a detailed report will be compiled and considered by members so that an informed decision can be made for 2015-16 and beyond.

Dates/venues of information days are as follows:

• Monday, August 11: Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre
• Tuesday, August 12: Ammanford Town Hall
• Wednesday, August 13: Dafen Park Rural Hall
• Thursday, August 14: Llangadog Community Centre
• Friday, August 15: St Clears Leisure Centre
• Monday, August 18: Pontyberem Hall
• Tuesday, August 19: Carmarthen Leisure Centre
• Wednesday, August 20: Llanelli Leisure Centre

• For further information, visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/consultation or call 01267 228142 or write to J Edwards, Carmarthenshire County Council, Parc Myrddin, Richmond Terrace, Carmarthen, SA31 1HQ.