A temporary reprieve for small bowling greens in Angus has been welcomed at one of the affected clubs.
Impending changes to charges for Angus Council-owned greens threatens to close three greens in the Montrose area, after a large disparity in rate-paying agreements was revealed.
This will result in an increase of up to £600 per member per year in fees at Hillside, Rossie Island and Melville greens.
The local authority has now extended a period of consultation on the issue, and Inch Bowling Club president Andrew Marvellay said the “heart of the community” is in peril.
“We are really heartened to hear there’s been a backtracking of sorts by the council,” he said.
“The way the issue was handled, and the report was phrased, it seemed like these rates are only going to affect wee clubs with just 25 members.
“That’s not right at all, even just going by the people who come to watch and come out on inter-club games. The bowling green is at the heart of the community.
“If you take the greens away then there is a centre of town life that won’t be there any more.”
Councillors previously agreed to look at standardising lease arrangements at authority-owned greens after a report revealed a hotchpotch of arrangements for rental and maintenance.
An in-kind subsidy equates to £600 per member per annum and critics say the council is not in a position to continue that level of support.
Corporate services director Eric Lowson put a report before corporate services committee members detailing the varied arrangements with the bowling clubs.
These vary from minutes of agreement and 99-year leases to the absence of any proper formal arrangement with Hillside, Rossie Island and Melville.
Councillors approved consultation with the clubs, which the director said would give some eight months’ notice for greens to consider the implications of the proposed changes and examine new funding or other arrangements.
Previously The Courier reported that fee increases and possible closures would be “a huge disadvantage” to the welfare of its older citizens.
Liberal Democrat councillor David May made a plea to consider “the sake of their health and fitness” of club bowlers.