As Part of the 2010/11 budget exercise the Council is considering to withdraw funding of Scarcroft Road Bowling and Croquet Clubs after the 2010 season. The Association, which consists of five bowling clubs, Scarcroft Road Bowling Club, Scarcroft Ladies Bowls Club, South Bank Social Club, St Clement's Social Club, the University Bowls Club and York Croquet Club are opposing the proposal to cut the maintenance of the Bowling and Croquet Greens. With nearly 100 members aged between 21 and 83 years of age they are angered by the proposal of cuts and have written to the Executive member for Leisure and Culture objecting to the proposal. The club, which owns it's own pavilion, pays for it's up keep and pays for the electricity and rates.

Micklegate Cllr Julie Gunnell said ‘the club plays an important part to the local area and city as a whole. This is a club which is well used by residents across York and it has a fantastic reputation across Yorkshire for it's high standards and facilities. I am appalled that this withdrawal of funding can be considered or justified. This club is extremely well used by older and retired people and bowling has taken place here for many years. The council says it is committed to providing sporting facilities for older people yet is readily considering removing this amenity.'

Fellow Ward Cllr Sandy Fraser added ‘As ward Councillors we are supporting the Clubs' objections and are asking the Executive Member not to go ahead with this cut. The clubs have worked hard to ensure that they have played their part by ensuring the pavilion is kept up to high standards and they have invested their own money to do this. The offer made to them to use Rowntree Park does not provide any pavilion facilities nor does it offer a Croquet Green that matches the quality and standard of the one currently used.'

Councillor Dave Merrett said ‘It's pure stupidity by the Liberal Democrats to consider withdrawing funding from two well used clubs with high standards, for an alternative at Rowntree Park which is not used because there are no pavilion facilities, are subject to regular flooding, and the issues with the Canada Geese. The clubs have highlighted these issues to the Executive and stressed the knock-on effect to fixtures. The Croquet Club also plays an important part in the Yorkshire Croquet Federation, and is the only one in York. This ill thought out proposal needs withdrawing immediately.'