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Say NO to proposed charges for Fitness professionals using parks

We the undersigned Say NO to proposed charges for professionals using parks and outdoor spaces for fitness activities. We the undersigned petition the council to call for the mayor to reconsider introducing charges to fitness industry professionals for using public parks and outdoor spaces to run their fitness and wellbeing activities. Fitness professionals are contributing massively to improving the health and wellbeing of the general public by making fitness classes accessible, affordable convenient to attend in the cities parks and outdoor spaces. Not everybody is able or wants to use gyms and leisure centres. So these services provide well needed alternatives that encourage and help tackle obesity and other health related risks. Background As Part of Bristol City Councils attempt to reduce its spending, an estimated saving of £1.904m is expected to be achieved across its Neighbourhoods directorate by the year 2020. One of the councils considerations is around how they can reduce wha

The council attempted to introduce similar charges back in 2013, targeting first a company called British Military Fitness who provide Bootcamps on there Downs and around the UK. It was dropped because the council realised that they couldn't regulate it. I believe that the council are still not in a position to regulate such charges and have not yet demonstrated hoe they propose the police this. Especially given the forecasted budget cuts to resources that would essentially be used to police this.

When someone is charged to use a facility or service, there is an degree and level of expectation from that service to warrant and justify the charge. From what we can tell, the charges not going to be enough to ensure the areas being used for fitness activities will be regularly maintained which therefore makes the charge even more unfair and potentially more dangerous to use as grass will be cut less frequently and litter, debris and fouling will increase making the area more undesirable and fit for purpose.

Started by: Richard Finch

This ePetition ran from 16/05/2018 to 16/07/2018 and has now finished.

5 people signed this ePetition.