£2.9m youth centre in Essex falls into decline as a result of cuts

Some of the rooms at the Shoebury Youth Centre in Southend, including a computer room and recording studio, have been locked up because the facility is failing to attract young people in the area.

Southend Borough Council has admitted that cuts to local youth services are a key factor in the centre’s problems.

James Courtenay, executive councillor for children and learning at the council, said: “We have had to take some difficult decisions and prioritise our youth services money so that it is targeting vulnerable young people. ?

“That means that universal services such as youth centres have seen a drop in funding. There are activities there four times a week but it is underused.”

Officers at the council have been asked to produce a report into the state of the centre, which will be published within the next six weeks.

Courtenay explained: “It is not to true that we are not doing anything about this. We are in talks with the local school to see if they can use the rooms and we are also setting up meetings with local church groups and groups like the Scouts.

“What I can not do though is set aside money to employ 10 new members of staff to run activities there. We have to look for options with no cost.”