§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 10 December 2001,Official Report, column 689W, on amateur sports clubs, what plans he has to provide funds to enable the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, to provide mandatory relief for community amateur sports clubs at the same level enjoyed by charities. [25128]
§ Mr. BoatengOn 30 November, the Charity Commission announced that it would recognise as charitable "the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation". Community amateur sports clubs that qualify for charitable status will be able to enjoy the tax relief that such status confers. This includes 80 per cent. 797W mandatory rate relief in England and Wales (fully centrally funded), with a further 20 per cent. available at the discretion of the local authority (75 per cent. centrally funded, with the local authority funding the remaining 25 per cent.). Any reduction in the total amount of business rates collected is automatically offset by an increase in total revenue support grant paid to local authorities.
§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many community amateur sports clubs have(a) a turnover of less than £15,000 and (b) a rental income less than £10,000. [25020]
§ Mr. BoatengThe number of community amateur sports clubs across the UK with a turnover of less than £15,000 and a rental income of less than £10,000 will vary from year to year. It is the Government's intention to recognise the positive contribution that such clubs make to their local communities. On 30 November, a consultation documentation—"Promoting Sport in the Community"—was launched, seeking views from interested parties on the best way to support community amateur sports clubs.
§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 10 December 2001,Official Report, column 689W, on amateur sports clubs, whether he will include relief from the climate change levy in his proposals for tax relief for community amateur sports clubs. [25129]
§ Mr. BoatengA consultation document—"Promoting Sport in the Community"—was launched on 30 November, seeking views on the best way to support community amateur sports clubs. The document is held in the House Library. A number of options are available. Comments are invited and responses to the consultation will help to shape the support we shall offer.
On 30 November, the Charity Commission announced that it would recognise as charitable the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation by the provision of facilities for the playing of particular sports. The climate change levy does not apply to energy used by charities for charitable purposes.
§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Performance and Innovation Unit regarding support for community amateur sports clubs. [25000]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Treasury is in regular dialogue with the Performance and Innovation Unit, which is currently undertaking a wider review of the legal and regulatory framework for charities. The Treasury launched a consultation document—"Promoting Sport in the Community"—on 30 November, seeking views from interested parties before finalising decisions on the best way to support CASCs. The consultation document is separate from the work of the Performance and Innovation Unit, but will have regard to the conclusions of that separate review and in the course of deciding the best way forward, responses to the consultation will be shared with the Performance and Innovation Unit.
798W