INVERCLYDE Leisure has been ‘rescued’ from having to pay a ‘swim tax’ that would have cost them more than £500,000, a councillor said today.

Tory Graeme Brooks said a campaign by the Scottish Conservatives to scrap the proposed levy has succeeded.

Mr Brooks, who is also a member of the Inverclyde Leisure board of directors, said that, as part of a review on business rates, it had been recommended that council ‘arm’s length’ bodies which run leisure and cultural facilities should lose their charitable status.

He said: “Inverclyde Leisure would have been hit with a £620,000 tax bill.

“The Scottish Conservatives warned this would force many organisations to the wall, resulting in poorer access to facilities for people right across Inverclyde.

“However, the Scottish Government has confirmed that this particular element of the review would not go ahead — a day before the SNP would have been defeated in a parliamentary debate on the issue.”

He said the Tories tabled a motion to reject the proposals, and this was backed by all opposition parties.

“This is a major victory for common sense and for the people of Inverclyde,” the councillor said. “For weeks, we have been demanding the SNP ditches its swim tax.

“Following our lead, opposition parties in Holyrood were preparing to unite in parliament this week and send the SNP government a message.

“Inverclyde Leisure has just reported on their 2016/17 year, and what an outstanding year it has been. To deliver a huge tax bill for future years was not the Christmas present that we wanted.”

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, whose constituency includes Kilmacolm, said consultations had produced a strong and consistent message about keeping the costs of leisure services affordable, especially in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities. 

He said: “As a result, I can confirm that rates relief will remain in place for qualifying facilities operated by council Arms Length External Organisations (ALEOs).

“However, I am aware that some councils are planning to increase the numbers of ALEOs and the number of facilities no longer paying rates.

“It is my intention to mitigate against this by offsetting any further charity relief benefit to councils to deter future ALEO expansion.”