A CAMPAIGN urging the Vale council to spend money helping mini and junior football teams instead of installing a 3G artificial pitch at Jenner Park has elicited a response from the Cabinet Member responsible in a bid to "set the record straight".

Last week more than 100 football coaches co-signed a letter to the Vale council urging them to spend money where it would, as they say, truly benefit the community.

The campaign, which has also seen an online petition signed by more than 1,000 people, proposes that instead of installing an artificial pitch at Jenner Park - which regularly becomes unplayable during the winter months - it would be more beneficial as a whole to provide mini league teams with an all-weather pitch.

Cabinet Member for Visible Services and Leisure Gwyn John has responded explaining why the council is focusing on Jenner Park - home to Barry Town United FC and Rhoose FC football teams.

"Firstly, and most importantly, the allegation that the Council is giving funding to Barry Town United FC is simply untrue," said Cllr John.

"The Council’s relationship with the club is that the authority owns Jenner Park Stadium. The club, along with Rhoose FC and Barry and Vale Athletics Club, pay the Council to use it.

"Both football teams have equal rights to use the pitch and both have entered into commercial relationships with the Council.

"Under these both currently pay £288 per game, plus additional variable costs such as floodlighting, to use Jenner Park for their home games.

"As the stadium is a Council asset, it is our responsibility to ensure it is used for the benefit of the whole community. T

"There has been no decision yet to commit any funding to improving the pitch at Jenner Park. We are, however, considering how we can develop the facility into one that can be used by the whole community, particularly children and young people."

Cllr John goes on to say that the Vale council supports mini football by not charging them for use of pitches, giving them free use of the astro-turf pitch at Barry Sports Centre and would be happy to continue helping by making mini pitches for use in the summer months to prevent games being called off due to bad weather.

Although he is unable to provide details at this stage, Cllr John added that senior council officers are working on proposals that would allows

children of all ages "the chance to run out at a first class facility".

"This is an exciting time for football, and sport in general, in the Vale," he said.

"The Vale of Glamorgan Council has been praised by Sport Wales for increasing the levels of physical activity in children, young people and adults.

"We have not achieved this alone but rather by working with the many volunteers, sports clubs and community groups operating in the Vale who share our vision of making the Vale the healthiest and most enjoyable place to live in Wales.

"It is our goal to make high quality facilities available for football in the Vale throughout the year. I hope that all those who wish to see more opportunities for more children to play sport will continue to work with us to make this happen."

The full response letter can be read at http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/our_council/press_and_communications/latest_news/2015/February/Cllr-John-writes-to-mini-football-clubs.aspx