Council workers' cut price golf

Fife Council workers will be able to play on a choice of seven courses

A council has launched a scheme offering its employees cut price golf.

From next month, Fife Council workers can buy a £5 card which will give them a 50% discount on season tickets to play seven council-run courses.

Other golfers can pay about £195 for a ticket to play on the same courses. The Fifestyle scheme offers discounts on leisure facilities across the region.

Fife Council said the scheme will be self financing and will attract "high calibre" staff.

Members of the public who are eligible to buy the Fifestyle cards for £5 can also claim a 50% discount on leisure facilities.

Councillor Bob Young, of Fife Council, said: "We believe that an employee benefits scheme contributes towards Fife Council being an employer of choice for prospective applicants and will attract high calibre staff in a competitive recruitment environment.

'Joe public'

"It also illustrates our commitment to the health and well being of our employees."

The discount is for Auchterderran Golf Course, Dora Golf Course, Dunnikier Golf Course, Kinghorn Golf Course, Lochore Meadows Golf Course and Scoonie Golf Course in Fife.

Martin Longstaff, 33, a recruitment manager from Dunfermline who has played on several of the Fife council courses, said: "If this is a perk for council workers and even a tool to attract new employees, I don't see it as being a problem, providing it doesn't affect 'joe public' getting on for a round of golf."

Last year Fife Council defended the decision to send staff with poor sickness records on an away day to a four-star hotel which included massage sessions.

A number of finance workers identified as having stress problems were sent on the day in December at a cost of £1,000.