📢 Fair Access to School Clubs in Fife – Campaign Update
We’ve been pressing Fife Council to reconsider its policy on charging school let fees for extracurricular clubs. Below is an abridged exchange between Willie Rennie MSP (North East Fife) and Fife Council that shows the heart of the issue. 

 
Willie Rennie MSP (North East Fife)
“The primary goal is to reduce the financial burden on families with children attending extracurricular clubs in Fife schools.

It is my understanding that, in Scotland, schools can provide extracurricular clubs during both lunchtime and after-school hours. These clubs may be led by school staff, Active Schools (for sports clubs), or external companies in partnership with the school.

The government’s Cost of the School Day policy recommends that extracurricular clubs should be either free or low-cost for students. However, Fife Council currently does not allow schools to run internal school lets for extracurricular clubs organised by external companies.”
 
Fife Council
“Education Services is not in the position to offer free lets in schools. If free lets were to be offered, other education provision and services would be affected as a result.

School let charges are a nominal fee which is set by Fife Council. These charges are to cover administration and janitorial costs associated with allowing the let to operate. No profit is made from these charges.

There is no Scottish Government Policy on School Lets. Each Local Authority determines its fees each year. There is no need for Fife Education Services to change the policy regarding school lets.”
 
Willie Rennie MSP (North East Fife)
“You noted that let charges cover administration and janitorial costs. However, many clubs operate during lunchtime or immediately after school, when janitorial staff are already present. Administration is also a one-off verification process rather than an ongoing weekly cost.

Furthermore, if a club is offered free to families, the Council waives the fees entirely. It is unclear why the Council incurs no cost in such cases but incurs cost only when families pay a small fee.”
 
Fife Council (final response)
“There is no Scottish Government Policy on School Lets. Each Local Authority determines its fees each year. There is no need for Fife Education Services to change the policy regarding school lets.”
 
✊ Why This Matters
This exchange makes clear that Fife Council is choosing to maintain a policy that creates unnecessary barriers for families, despite national guidance encouraging free or low-cost access. Clubs that could enrich children’s lives are being priced out, even when the costs to the Council are minimal or already covered.

Our campaign is about fairness: no child should miss out on opportunities simply because of school let fees.