Moyle councillor calls for sports clubs rates relief

SPEAKING on behalf of the SDLP Council Group on Moyle Council, Dónal Cunningham committed their full support for the call on the Minister for Finance and Personnel to raise the rates relief for Amateur Community Sports Clubs from 80% to 100%.

“The SDLP Assembly group fully supported the original proposal brought to the Assembly by Robin Swann, in November 2011, it is important particularly in the current economic climate that this issue remains on the Assembly agenda.

“Many local community based sports clubs are experiencing severe financial challenges, for some their continued existence is finely balanced. The contribution and benefits these clubs provide for local communities needs to be recognised. Not only do our clubs encourage participation in sport and promote healthy lifestyles, they also have a positive impact on the reduction of crime and anti- social behaviour, and promote community relations acting as the hub for much of local community activity.

“We want the Minister to raise the rates relief to 100% without imposing any further bureaucracy or red tape on the already over worked club administrators.”

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