Fife sports club to ‘fight’ Fife Council over 4166% rise in rent fees

Duffus Park Bowling Club pays £30 a year to use its facilities, but under new Fife Council terms the club will be asked to pay £1250 – £750 for the rent of the green and another £500 to rent the ground that the clubhouse stands on.

Members of the club were “up in arms” after learning of the proposed hike, and some plan on fighting the plans.

The clubhouse was built by the club and is not rented from the council, and its members argue that the green was given to the club by Duffus family, who gifted the park to the then town council.

“A lot of people were up in arms and asked how the council could do this,” said house convenor George Sharp.

“Some members say we should go for it or it might become a legal thing, which we can’t afford; others say we need to fight as hard as we can, and I’m all for that.”

Mr Sharp admits the club currently pays a ‘peppercorn rent’, and said the club would not mind a regular increase from £30.

He also criticised the local authority over the “mixed messages” it has received from staff, and claimed the club had been told its keys would be taken away unless it agreed to the new terms.

Club member and former president, John Manzie, added: “I understand Fife Council is cash strapped and trying to get all the money it can. Maybe they see this as a cash cow.”

Fife Council community manager Janice Laird responded: “Following a review and consultation last year the council agreed to standardise the lease arrangements for sports clubs across Fife.

“The standard charge for a bowling club across Fife is £750 per green plus the cost of the club house dependent on the size of the building. This has helped to create a fairer system for everyone.

“Duffus Park is common good land and the bowling club has no specific rights over any part of it. This was clarified with the club over a year ago on the basis of legal counsel’s opinion.”