MEMBERS of the Winsford branch of the Royal British Legion have been asked to pay £1,400 for their information centre after Cheshire West and Chester Council said it failed to provide evidence of “clear community benefit”.

The information centre, located in Queens Parade, has been open for just over 12 months and in that time, the Legion has not been asked to pay a penny.

But after a recent review by Cheshire West’s business department, the Legion is being asked to pay £1,400 in rent on the unit unless it can provide evidence that it does in fact benefit the community.

Geoff Beetham, chair of the Winsford branch, said: “The Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading Service charity. We provide practical care, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families.

“We don’t sell anything in the shop, the only money we make is from donations and that all goes straight to the troops.

“We’re a community based charity – we are not a business and to ask us to pay one penny would mean taking money away from our troops, from those who need it most.

“We work with schools to provide educational information about the Legion and wars past and present – we’ve even had students go on to join the Armed Forces after visiting the information centre.”

A Council spokesperson said: “The Royal British Legion facility at 11 Queens Parade, which is used for display purposes only, has benefited from 100 per cent rate relief since it opened.

“In order to qualify for 100 per cent relief – which the Council provides on a discretionary basis – charities must show that the service provided has a clear community benefit.

“Following a recent review we advised the charity that we would be changing its rate relief to the mandatory 80 per cent as the Queens Parade facility did not appear to demonstrate the required community benefit.

“The charity has appealed the decision and we have asked it to provide evidence of how the facility benefits the community, particularly in relation to schools.

“Providing the RBL can satisfactory supply this information, it is likely its appeal will be successful and the facility will continue to enjoy 100 per cent rate relief.

“It is important to emphasise that the issue of community benefit concerns only the charity’s occupation of 11 Queens Parade, and not its wider activities, the benefits of which are not in question.”