Opposition to Labour's sports charges
Labour have reintroduced charges for using tennis courts in Lambeth's parks, backtracking on their promise to improve access to sport in the borough. The move comes just months after the cost of using leisure centres increased by 25%.
The free use of courts for all was a great success after if was introduced by Conservative councillors, but Labour councillors see greater participation as a source of extra income. They have even claimed the £4 per hour charge for over 16's is due to "significant capital investment on the tennis facilities in the borough", even though the vast majority of it was happened while Conservatives were in control at the Town Hall.
Conservative councillor Clare Whelan is calling on Labour to reverse these charges immediately.
She says: "We opposed the charges when they were proposed because there are fears they will prevent children from some of the most deprived and unhealthy areas of London taking up sport. It's important to promote sport for children and adults as a family activity, but Labour's plans fail to take this into account."
Tennis for Free, a charity which supported the introduction of free tennis in Lambeth, has also opposed Labour's charges. Their Chief Executive has said: "We are extremely disappointed that Lambeth is introducing these charges after seeing more people use the courts in recent years.
"As with most councils that charge for their courts, participation levels are likely to drop and those talented youngsters and their parents in the area are likely to put away their racquets and start kicking a football around again on the 'free grass'."
The free use of courts for all was a great success after if was introduced by Conservative councillors, but Labour councillors see greater participation as a source of extra income. They have even claimed the £4 per hour charge for over 16's is due to "significant capital investment on the tennis facilities in the borough", even though the vast majority of it was happened while Conservatives were in control at the Town Hall.
Conservative councillor Clare Whelan is calling on Labour to reverse these charges immediately.
She says: "We opposed the charges when they were proposed because there are fears they will prevent children from some of the most deprived and unhealthy areas of London taking up sport. It's important to promote sport for children and adults as a family activity, but Labour's plans fail to take this into account."
Tennis for Free, a charity which supported the introduction of free tennis in Lambeth, has also opposed Labour's charges. Their Chief Executive has said: "We are extremely disappointed that Lambeth is introducing these charges after seeing more people use the courts in recent years.
"As with most councils that charge for their courts, participation levels are likely to drop and those talented youngsters and their parents in the area are likely to put away their racquets and start kicking a football around again on the 'free grass'."
posted by Cllr John Whelan on 13:07
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