Early Day Motion·EDM 1672

VOLUNTARY SPORTS CLUBS AND THE LICENSING ACT 2003

10 September 200335 Signatures

Primary sponsor

Sir John Whittingdale

Conservative — Maldon

Motion Text

That this House notes that voluntary sports clubs face significant extra cost burdens under the Licensing Act 2003; notes that clubs operating bars will have to pay licence fees of between ú600 to ú2,000 over 10 years; compared with ú30 at present; recognises the value of volunteer-run clubs in tackling the obesity epidemic and in nurturing elite athletes; understands that bars are a legitimate source of income for clubs on limited budgets to subsidise sporting activities; therefore deplores the fact that the Government is reneging on the commitment given by the Minister in committee to introduce a reduced fee level for sports clubs; and calls upon the Government to honour its pledge in the forthcoming delegated legislation.