News Updates

The Email below was sent by Malcolm Russell regarding this seasons bowling

From: "Russell, Malcolm" <Malcolm.russell@bolton.gov.uk>

Date: 24 March 2021 at 12:07:36 GMT

To: "Russell, Malcolm" <Malcolm.russell@bolton.gov.uk>

Cc: Neighbourhood Services Inbox <neighbourhoodservicesinbox@bolton.gov.uk>, "Grundy, Julie" <julie.grundy@bolton.gov.uk>

Subject: To Club Secretaries & Representatives - Bolton Council Bowling Greens



Dear all,

I hope you are all well and looking forward to the summer after the difficult year behind us.

I was hoping to be able to write to you confirming arrangements for the use of Bolton Council greens for the 2021 season but as I write we are still awaiting the sport specific Government guidance. I can tell you that as far as the use of greens is concerned Bolton Council will follow the BCGBA position.

As of today the position is that greens will open on the 1^st April as normal but it appears we will need to operate with the same ‘rule of 6’ arrangements that we had for much of last summer. If the guidance, when it arrives, is different then I will contact you again and confirm any changes. This will unfortunately be early next week.

Due to the current uncertainty and the fact that many of your members will not have bowled for over 12 months we are proposing the following:

• The Council will not issue individual permit numbers this year but will rely on clubs advising of their membership numbers. We will probably firm this up around late June once we have a better understanding of how the easing of lockdown is going and the impact on the availability of facilities.

• The cost per member will be based upon the fee approved for 2020, although never collected due to Covid, of £65.

• As part of the corporate budget approval the Council is increasing fees by 6% above inflation, so by 8%, this would bring the fee to £70.20 per member.

• The Public Health funding to ease the increase, originally made available for 2020, has been rolled forward and will be applied for 2021, bringing the fee down to £50, subject to all facilities being available. This may be reduced if facilities are not available due to Covid restrictions.

• Clubs which take on the regular maintenance of the greens will pay a reduced fee.

Once membership numbers are known and a total fee for each club is confirmed, taking account of all relevant factors, it is proposed that the Council will raise invoices to clubs, splitting the agreed payment over 2 instalments.

I hope this proposal works for all clubs and I will contact you again should there be any changes to the guidance.

Regards,

Malcolm

Malcolm Russell

Head of Service (Neighbourhood Services)

Directorate of Place

Ellesmere House

Mayor Street Depot

Ellesmere Street

Bolton

BL3 5DT