CRAVEN sports clubs could suffer astronomical losses if councillors stick to a policy of scrapping rate relief.

Some clubs, which enjoy up to 90 per cent rate relief, could be faced with an annual bill totalling many thousands of pounds.

Bentham Golf Club has said it could be forced to sell up as a direct consequence of the rate hike.

Also affected are Wharfedale RUFC, North Ribblesdale RUFC and Skipton Golf Club.

Craven District Council decided to reduce "discretionary rate relief" for some clubs in December. Despite priding itself on its sports provision, Craven is the only council in North Yorkshire to use its discretion to scrap rate relief.

But the decision was put on hold so its impact could be fully assessed and a final ruling will be made by the council's policy committee in June.

The new rates would apply to sporting organisations which receive 50 per cent of their income through sponsorship, gate receipts and bar takings.

Bentham Golf Club is facing a rise from around £2,500 to more than £14,000. Skipton Golf Club's rise is almost 600 per cent, from £3,000 to more than £20,000 a year.

John Mann, Bentham's secretary and manager, said: "It is a massive increase and, of course, it will have a massive impact. We don't have lots of money in the kitty. We were on the point of selling up last year."

He said the club had managed to negotiate a finance package that had eased pressure on the immediate cash flow. He added the club could not bump up its membership fees any more.

"If we pass this on to members there would be an outcry. Members would pack up and go elsewhere," said Mr Mann.

And he added that if the club could not sustain its membership it would be forced to look at other options, including selling off the land to developers. He said the rate hike would be equivalent to losing 30 members in one year.

"It is difficult to recoup that money," said Mr Mann.

Also hard hit could be Skipton Golf Club, which faces a 575 per cent rate increase to more than £20,000.

Graham Huntrods, of the club, said it simply did not have the money to foot the bill. He warned that it could spell a £50 increase in membership fees threatening the future of the club and funding for its thriving junior section.

Mr Huntrods said: "We have over 100 juniors, which the club funds. That would have to go. We are providing a useful amenity for young people and we are just getting clobbered."

He added that 46 per cent of the club's 600 members were pensioners. "They have already paid their own council tax. They are being asked to pay another £50 because they want to play golf," he said.

Wharfedale Rugby Club could be faced with a bill totalling more than £8,500. And North Ribblesdale RUFC, which charges membership fees of just £1 a year, used to get 90 per cent off its bill. That figure was reduced to 65 per cent last year and could be reduced even further in June.

Paul Ellis, head of customer services at Craven District Council, said members would discuss the impact of the proposal and look at how other local authorities had handled the matter before reaching a decision.

He said the council was under significant spending pressure and wanted to limit any increase in council tax. And he added there had also been an increase in rate relief applications and support for other small organisations, such as post offices and village stores.

Until a final decision is taken, Craven District Council is charging the clubs at last year's rate.