THE fight to retain tax benefits for volunteer-led sports clubs is to be taken to the very top by York District Sports Council.

As revealed by the Evening Press, the York organisation has led a nationwide campaign to oppose Government plans to remove rate relief and tax exemptions for clubs which do not or can not claim charitable status.

And YDSC secretary Chris Houseman has now booked an appointment to see Minister for Sport Richard Caborn to discuss the matter, which was up for a Government review this month.

"I have got this opportunity and feel I owe it to the many clubs and associations in York, who have supported the YDSC's campaign on taxation benefits, to put across our views direct to the minister," said Houseman, who will meet Caborn next Wednesday.

The YDSC argues that for clubs to have a chance of achieving charitable status, they would have to go through a complex and time-consuming application, which might not be worth the effort put in.

The YDSC also say it is unfair of the Government to effectively value such clubs as small businesses, as they are mainly run by volunteers and are not profit-minded.

He added: "Almost all sport governing bodies and thousands of sports clubs across the country oppose the Government proposals, which oblige clubs to convert themselves into charities to obtain tax benefits."

And the YDSC's bid has been backed by Ryedale MP John Greenway, with the Shadow Minister for Sport and Tourism haven written to Houseman and several local organisation offering his support.

Greenway has told the YDSC his colleague Tim Yeo MP has written to the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell seeking clarification, while he will be tabling parliamentary questions about the consultation process and the implications if the package remains unaltered.

Updated: 11:47 Thursday, February 14, 2002