AMATEUR sports clubs throughout Wyre Forest can benefit from a cash boost in the wake of new Government rate relief guidelines.

The way the clubs are being given the relief was changed in the Finance Act 2002, with Chancellor, Gordon Brown, announcing that mandatory rate relief for such clubs should be set at 80 per cent from April 1 this year.

That is up from the 50 per cent level clubs in the district have previously taken advantage of. The change in legislation will also mean groups having to register with the Inland Revenue as community amateur sports clubs.

Last November, Wyre Forest District Council wrote to all 44 clubs receiving discretionary relief to advise them of the new arrangements through which they might qualify for the relief if they registered with the Inland Revenue.

Only five of the clubs contacted have signed up to the scheme so far. The new system has meant some clubs having to change their rules and structure to conform to the Inland Revenue's guidelines.

The district council's executive agreed that qualifying clubs should get 100 per cent relief for their first three years after setting up and 80 per cent after that.

Historically, the district council has allowed discretionary relief at 100 per cent for new organisations for the first three years.

All clubs currently receiving 50 per cent discretionary rate relief will see their rate bill reduced with the introduction of the 80 per cent mandatory relief.