A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has used Senedd questions to highlight a council policy that will “ravage” grassroots sports in Caerffili County Borough.

During spokesperson questions to the Local Government Minister, Peredur Owen Griffiths raised the Labour local authority’s proposal to increase pitch hire fees by 75% following on from inflation-busting increases in recent years.

He said the plans risk excluding the poorest from participating in team sports.

“Speaking to local authority leaders across Wales,” said Peredur, “the local government settlement handed down to councils throughout Wales has simply not been sufficient.

“As a result, we are now seeing some very painful cuts being made or proposed which will have wide and far-reaching consequences for our communities.

“The news from Labour in Westminster today confirms that austerity is here to stay. More locally, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s plans to increase pitch hire fees by 75 per cent is an example of these devastating decisions.

“Indeed, a petition has been started to oppose this with over 5,000 people signing it already.

“This proposal, if enacted, will ravage grass-roots teams at all ages across a wide range of sports.”

Peredur also raised the plans to close a number of leisure centres in the county borough such as Cefn Fforest, Pontllanfraith and Bedwas.

Of the proposed pitch hire cost increases, he added: “Those fees will have to be passed on by the clubs that use the council pitches, and many players or parents of players will be unable to afford increased subs and will have no choice but to withdraw from sport.

“With increased council tax bills landing on the doormats of houses this week, it’s a double whammy for those households.

“Make no mistake, some of the teams will fold as a result of this, sports will become the preserve of those with disposable income.

“Are you comfortable with that sort of thing happening as a result of Labour’s budgets in Westminster and Wales? And what kinds of conversations are you having with local authorities to alleviate that situation?”

In response, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant said: “..one budget isn’t going to change what we’ve been through for the last 14 years - I think that all local authorities understand that.”


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