As the council seeks to balance its books following yet further cuts in Central Government grants it raises charges for services it provides, and the latest victims are the five bowls club in Swindon. I hold no brief for the clubs and feel they should pay a market rent for the facilities provided – after all if bowls is their chosen past time, they should pay for the privilege and not expect to be subsidised.

However, the bowls clubs have a very good point when they suggest the council is not being even handed, particularly when they have made an arrangement to fund nearly £250,000 of improvements to the running track before handing over a 21 year operating lease to the athletics club.

Of greater concern is the comment made by a council spokesman who suggests that the increased rents will reduce the subsidy received by the five clubs from £45k to £35k, a saving of £10k per annum.

This announcement is further amplified by the spokesman stating with great seriousness that the council “simply can't afford to continue to pay the £10k in view of the pressure on the council's overall budget”.

The Steam Museum is still being subsidised, currently to the tune of £200k per annum which, given the number of years it has been in operation, suggests it might never be self funding.

What will the council do to make this facility pay its way or is it a case of “we can afford to pay this subsidy in spite of the pressure on the council's overall budget”?

Des Morgan Caraway Drive Swindon