THE York and District Sports Council are appealing to local clubs to condemn Government plans which would see them lose their rate relief and tax exemptions.

Under the proposal, an 18-page document entitled Promoting Sport in the Community, clubs will lose the exemptions offered to them unless they claim charitable status - a complex procedure and something which will not be available to all clubs.

The Council will attempt to break down the details of the document at a meeting on Wednesday at York Cricket and Rugby Club, Clifton Park, so they know exactly what they are faced with.

The YDSC are hoping that by campaigning against the document the proposals will be rejected by the Government, allowing clubs to be exempt from the rating process, as well as receiving exemption from tax on interest and rental income and tax relief on legacies and gifts.

However, unless clubs act quickly, the proposal could become part of the Budget in March, with the Government set to review the issue on February 1.

The meeting, which will start at 7.30pm, has been called to bring the document into the public arena as its existence - and the seriousness of it - is not widely known among clubs.

At the end, the YDSC will appeal to clubs to write to the Government to object to the proposed measure which will hit sports clubs not only across the region, but nation-wide.

"We will explain what the document is about, what is in it and what the issues are," said YDSC secretary Chris Houseman.

"We'll explain that charitable status will not be easy to get.

"The document makes it clear that promoting a healthy lifestyle does not include the likes of angling, regardless of the view it takes kids away from the streets to the riverside.

"We will then ask for clubs to write to the Government - as it asks for in the document - to state their individual view.

"Clubs have got to let the Government know what a lot of nonsense this actually is.

"I know the sport governing bodies are doing their bit, but it needs the weight of the grassroots clubs behind it.

"I hope that it is put on the back-burner for now and that the Government think again."

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 have also hit out at the document saying it is unfair to value clubs as small businesses, which the Council are quite adamant that they are not - with the only money made vital to see the clubs to survive.

Another part of the proposal says that anyone joining a club should be given a game - regardless on skill or talent.

Houseman added: "If you've got 16 trying to fill 11 positions in a team, you will have to rotate everybody, so your best players will have to sit out.

"You will get situations where people join Scarborough Cricket Club and play three games in five, while a side like Wilberfoss, which is more their level, could struggle for players."

Every club in York and the surrounding areas are urged to attend the meeting, whether or not they are members of the Sports Council.

Updated: 11:49 Tuesday, January 08, 2002