By John Baron & Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Council proposals to reduce the number of bowling greens in Leeds have been labelled as ‘ludicrous’ by a Farnley & Wortley councillor.
Cash-strapped Leeds City Council last week launched a consultation on the future of the facilities as it seeks to plug a multi-million pound budget gap.
The number of greens across the city could be reduced from 61 to 31, saving the council £140,000 a year. Another option would see all the greens stay open but users facing a “significant” rise in season ticket prices.
David Blackburn, Green Party. Photo: LDRS
But Farnley & Wortley Green Party Councillor David Blackburn has criticised the proposed closures. In his ward, facilities at New Farnley Park and Western Flatts Cliff Park in Wortley face possible closure.
“I am totally against any of the proposed bowling green closures, they are in my view totally ludicrous,” Cllr Blackburn said.
“If clubs close then you are depleting the amount of clubs that can compete, which then will lead to the sport losing more members and send it into an ever-decreasing circle of decline.
“If elderly members are playing bowls it keeps them active in mind and body, therefore more likely not to need social care. In the long run this saves the council and the NHS money.
“This short-sighted proposal shows that the council is not at all age friendly and is not committed to making its parks a place where people both young and old can keep fit and healthy.
“In my area it will reduce the bowling clubs from 3 to 1, but it is even worse in some areas where it proposes to leave them without any facilities at all. I will be working with groups from own area and across the city to make sure the council administration changes its mind.”
The council has identified 30 bowling greens across the city which could be axed. In West Leeds these are Armley Park, Bramley Park, Westroyd Park in Farsley, New Farnley Park, Western Flatts Cliff Park in Wortley and Tyersal Park.
Cllr Stewart Golton
Cllr Blackburn’s concerns have been echoed by Stewart Golton, leader of the city’s Liberal Democrat group, who said closing greens could cost more in the long term by affecting older people’s health.
He added: “Hundreds of mostly older people across the city are set to lose access to a sport that keeps them physically fit and active, and helps improve their mental health by avoiding people feeling isolated at home.”
Cllr Golton, who represents Rothwell, said closing greens could be a discriminatory move against older people.
He said: “It shows disrespect for them, and for colleagues elsewhere in health and care professions who will pick up the consequences of people with worse health outcomes as a consequence of being deprived access to exercise.”
Leeds City Council, which needs to find savings of almost £275 over five years, said demand for crown green facilities had fallen by 39 per cent since 2014.
The authority stressed that no final decision had been made and a public consultation would run until January 26.
The council added that even if the closures went ahead, Leeds would still have more local authority-run greens than other big cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham and that the remaining 31 sites would be able to accommodate current levels of usage.
Cllr Mohammed Rafique
Labour Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “In common with other councils across the country, Leeds is facing a financial challenge that continues to impact the services it is able to provide.
“The proposals for our crown green bowling sites reflect both the seriousness of the situation and the need to explore every possible option that will help us balance our budget.
“Equally, we recognise that these plans – which have been drawn up after a great deal of thought and analysis – will be a source of concern for some bowling club members.
“I would therefore like to encourage people to get involved with the consultation and share their views as we carefully consider our next steps.
“We would also stress that the council remains fully committed to supporting crown green bowling and other activities that play a positive role in people’s health and well-being.”
A city-side petition against the proposed closures has so far gained more than 5,000 signatures and can be found here. A petition to save Western Flatts Cliff Park bowling green has over 230 signatures.
Consultation
To take part in the consultation, click here. People with questions about the plans can e-mail cgbconsultation@leeds.gov.uk.
Background
Leeds City Council is proposing a number of budget cuts as it faces an unprecedented strain on its finances which means it has to find nearly £275m in savings over the next five years.
Job losses, service cuts, building closures and a council tax rise of almost five per cent are also being considered by the authority, along with the closure of public buildings including Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall and Pudsey Civic Hall.
Latest figures show the council needs to save £106.4m during 2025/26 to avoid having it declare itself bankrupt.
The council faces rising costs in services, including adult social care, while central Government has under-funded councils across the UK over the past 15 years.
Council plans to close half of Leeds’s council-maintained bowling greens were first shelved back in February 2021, following a pubic outcry. Campaigners at the time said the decision should be heralded as a ‘new start’ for the sport in Leeds, and was a “perfect opportunity to get more people into the sport once Covid-19 lockdown rules have been lifted”.
WLD Cutswatch
WLD is following ongoing council cuts, closures and building sales in our Cutswatch series of articles.
Sponsored content
www.bramleybaths.co.uk