The Scout Association has launched a campaign, led by chief scout Bear Grylls, calling on local authorities to maintain favourable rents for the youth organisation following a recent series of "enormous" hikes.
'Don't raise our rents!', launching today, calls on local government to protect the long-term future of local scout groups by ensuring any rent increases are "fair and affordable" and to continue to provide scouts with discretionary rate relief for scout-owned properties.
Research conducted by the Scout Association in January found that a third of the 1,200 scout groups which responded pay ground rent to landlords, and a quarter of those had already been told to expect increases in rents and rates. Scout leaders fear that the hikes could lead to increased subscription fees, a reduction in activities or even closure for some scout groups.
Banstead Disctrict Scout Group is facing an increase in ground rent from £135 per annum to £10,500 by Reigate and Banstead Council, and the 12th Morley Group is facing closure as it can't afford an increase of £6,500 to its rent bill for 2011.
Chief scout, Bear Grylls, said: "It is completely counter-productive for councils to charge Scouts such enormous rent increases. These crippling rises jeopardise the future of scouting and the enormous amount of voluntary work we provide to communities week-in, week-out."
The Scout Association launched in 1907 and now boasts half a million members in the UK. Scout volunteers provide more than 37.6 million hours per year to the community and 55 per cent of young people who are scouts also volunteer elsewhere in their local communities.
Government backing
The campaign is backed by the Communities and Local Government department. Bob Neill, minister for local government, and vice president of Bromley and District Scouts, said: "The scouts provide an immense contribution to local communities across Britain. They are a great way for young people to develop skills and learn about social responsibility.
"I agree with the chief scout, Bear Grylls. It is unacceptable for councils to unilaterally hike charges on scout groups without consultation. This is a false economy, as without scout groups, local authorities and the police would end up spending more money on tackling anti-social behaviour and on paying for the services which scouts provide for free."
Girlguiding and scouting 'essential to Big Society'
Girlguiding UK is working with the scouts to deliver the campaign and admits it too is concerned that with 28,000 groups in the UK, "such rises will in turn place real financial constraints on us".
A spokewoman for the organisation said: "Guiding is an essential part of any ‘Big Society’, providing fantastic opportunities for girls and young women...any barrier that potentially prevents future generations enjoying the opportunities and adventure provided by Girlguiding UK’s 100,000 volunteers is matter of concern."
A dedicated website has been created to provide support for campaigners and to log charges being applied throughout the country. www.dontraiseourrents.org features a campaign toolkit, an interactive map outlining where scout groups are being affected and a petition.
