By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Council leaders will be urged to reconsider a shake-up of bowling green provision after concerns were raised over the impact on elderly club members.
Leeds City Council is set to raise membership fees and cut financial support for crown green sites around the city.
The council first proposed to close 30 greens to save £140,000 a year.
But in January, the authority decided to maintain them until the end of the summer season after a public consultation was held.
Alternative savings proposals were then drawn up to allow more greens to stay open.
Opposition councillors have launched a challenge to revised plans which will be debated at a meeting on Wednesday (April 2).
In a submission to the council’s Communities, Housing and Environment scrutiny board, they said: “The increase of costs, to mainly pensioners, will potentially close more clubs than the original planned.”
A council report said the £140,000 saving planned for 2025/26 would be spread over two financial years.
Season ticket fees would be doubled, from £45 to £90 for adults and from £22.50 to £45 for juniors.
By the end of 2025, clubs would be required to have a minimum of 20 paying adult members.
The report said: “In addition to increased cost recovery via season tickets, it is also recommended that clubs take responsibility for the payment of electricity charges commencing from the 2025/26 season.”
Wayne Dixon, Social Democratic Party councillor for Middleton Park, is the main signatory requesting a “call-in” of the proposals, along with members from other opposition groups.
It means the scrutiny board could refer the plans for reconsideration by the council.
The call-in submission said: “No other models of securing the game have been explored due to the rushed nature of the consultation.
“We should be working with bowling clubs, not against them.”
The proposals also include help for clubs to take over their bowling greens from the council.