Nottinghamshire budget cuts put youth clubs at risk

Councillors have said they will do their best to protect the youth club network, but could be forced to close the centres – nearly one in five of the county's total – as part of a restructure of its youth services.

Nottinghamshire County Council wants to reduce the department’s budget by £1.3m as part of a £154m council-wide spending cut.

Despite pledging their support for the service, councillors are proposing to close seven of its 38 youth clubs and six of its 10 mobile youth facilities from October.

The seven youth clubs identified for closure, including Bingham Young People’s Centre and Collingham Youth Club, were selected on the basis of deprivation factors and the number of young people living in each area.

The council is also proposing to reduce the number of weeks that services are available each year from 42 to 37.

Councillor John Peck, committee chairman for children’s and young people’s services, said the council would do its best to protect its youth provision.

He said: “We are proud of our youth services and are working around the clock to protect the youth service.

“We are doing everything in our power to be able to provide access within the resources available to continue to provide the best value, high quality, enjoyable and positive activities for children and young people.

“We are also committed to working and engaging with communities to increase support from the voluntary sector to maintain wider provision.”

A public consultation of the proposals ends on 17 January.

Councillors will make a final decision about the service at a meeting on 27 February.