WEST Devon's sports clubs are celebrating a victory in the battle to get additional relief in their rates bills.

Last week's meeting of West Devon Borough Council's influential policy committee agreed clubs would have their relief increased for this year — and a review of the system has now been time-tabled.

Many clubs in the borough were facing serious financial difficulties after relief was slashed in successive years.

At the meeting in Okehampton, Cllr Nick Waterhouse welcomed the fact something was being done to help sports clubs, but criticised 'inequalities' and 'anomolies' of the valuation system.

'I think we really should not put a poultice on this particular inflammation and wait for another year to do something about it,' he said.

Cllr Pat Warne said the basis for rate relief had never been made clear to the clubs. She said the council ought to take the example of other authorities who gave sporting organisations 100 per cent relief.

'I don't think we have handled this at all fairly,' said Cllr Warne. 'I would rather see us increase this relief to something more realistic.

'This time-table is already far too long — it should have already been decided.'

Cllr Margaret Garton said: 'I would like all sports clubs to get 100 per cent but it's just not possible for such a small authority at this moment in time.'

Cllr Nick Morgan said: 'I have got great sympathy for sports clubs — I know what they go through.

'We have got to look at the way we do things, right through the council.

'Let's get on with it, get a review done and stop arguing and talking.'

Cllr Dick Eberlie hoped future handling of rate relief would be carried out in a more open manner and would be easier for everyone to understand.

'I believe we are all speaking of the same thing and I do hope we can go forward with the resolution which will give immediate support to the sporting clubs and ensure there is a full review,' he said.

Ted Cann, secretary of Okehampton Rugby Club, was one of the prime fighters in the battle to restore greater rates relief.

He said the decision was a 'triumph for democracy'.

'In the main, the increase is 25 percent and represents a real tonic to hard-working fundraisers.

'We still fall short of the levels awarded by many local authorities but feel at least we are now being listened to — sensible, reasonable discussions at a future date might yet get us back to where we were four years ago,' he said.

Mr Cann appreciated it was not easy taking hard financial decisions when money was tight.

'They have done their best in the circumstances,' he said.

Simon Essex, another vigorous campaigner, said: 'I am sure that all sports clubs share the enormous relief which clubs like the Okehampton Table Tennis Club will feel now this reduction has arrived.

'The borough is not giving an extra 25 per cent, they are giving half back of what they mischievously took away. We only want the position restored to what it was four years ago.'

Mike Jefferies, of Tavistock Tennis Club, said: 'We are pleased to be getting some rate relief and pleased it's more than last year, but I would expect that the system still could be improved on — we are looking forward to whatever proposals the council is going to make in preparation for next year.'

Mr Jefferies hoped procedures would be more open in future with more communication between the borough and clubs.

'This year is fine but the real issue is what's going to happen next year.

'We understand West Devon's resources are not large, but the fact clubs provide these facilities is something they should be grateful for.

MP for West Devon and Torridge John Burnett said: 'I am very pleased I was able to help the sports clubs and I pay tribute to West Devon Borough Council for listening to their compelling case.

'I am delighted with the result.'