|  The 2003 Licensing Act requires that the licensing fees for all pubs and bars are calculated according to their rateable value, regardless of opening hours, turnover or area. As a result, a sports club which is open for just a few hours each week can pay the same fee as neighbouring commercial drinking venues like pubs, bars and nightclubs.
Revenue that would otherwise be reinvested in maintaining sports facilities or buying new kit is instead now being diverted to meet the costs of the new regime. Despite the assertions of ministers that the majority of clubs would fall into the lowest fee bracket, a CCPR survey of 2,500 sports clubs found that only 12% did so, at a first year cost to sport of £2.6m. As part of its campaigning, CCPR submitted a range of alternatives to the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel, the body set up to investigate fee levels. One of the options was highlighted in the panel’s final report – the only special case to be put forward by the body. As a result of its campaigning, CCPR has been assured of a personal hearing from the minister responsible before any final decision is made. | 