A LEADING Tory councillor claims Bolton Council has agreed a massive 20 per cent rise in sport centre charges at a meeting behind closed doors.

Conservative Deputy Leader Cllr John Walsh has demanded an investigation into claims that as well as a standard 2.5 per cent increase to cover inflation, sports clubs and groups will also have to pay an extra 17.5 per cent to use facilities.

The meeting in November, which discussed the rises, was closed to members of the press and public he says.

He also claims the change in policy and the increases, were never reported to Conservative councillors who do not serve on the small committee which reviews the council's leisure charges.

He says reports of the massive hike were hidden in council jargon so that most members were never informed about the change in policy imposed by controlling Labour councillors.

Under current rules individuals booking sports facilities such as squash courts must pay VAT, but clubs don't. But Cllr Walsh says the 17.5 per cent rise will be equivalent to them paying tax.

He said: "The rise was agreed by Labour councillors. The increase, another Labour stealth tax, will hit small sports clubs like five-a-side football and badminton clubs which use the council's sports halls.

"Many clubs may have to go elsewhere, even outside Bolton and some may close. How can that be a good policy?

"The council must reconsider its foolish decision." Cllr Walsh has written to the council's chief executive to demand a full investigation, but chairman of the leisure services committee, Labour councillor Gerald Riley, said the Tory councillors were not left out of the meeting where the issue was discussed.

He said: "Members of the opposition are entitled to be at every meeting. It isn't our fault if they are not.

"Cllr Walsh seems to be mischief making and lying, and as far as him being fooled by jargon - never."

Assistant director of leisure services Paul Walker confirmed the increase was due to take place from April 1 at all local authority sport facilities.

It will affect groups who make block bookings for the exclusive use of facilities over a number of weeks without having to book week to week. He said: "We feel this is a privilege people have to pay for and this premium fee has been introduced because of that. It has come in at the start of the tax year and all customers who use this facility were sent a letter detailing the changes and how they would be affected.

"If people want to keep using this facility they will have to pay the price although there are mechanisms in place for reduced rates for disadvantaged groups."

He added: "As regards the decision being made behind closed doors, we don't believe it was. It was presented and discussed at a committee meeting with representatives of the council present."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.