The Cheshire council has agreed in principle to invest £3m of its capital funds into the development of the site, which has also been a nightclub, into a "youth zone" to be run by the charity OnSide in collaboration with Warrington Youth Club.
But youth workers union Unite has labelled the move “the thin end of the privatisation wedge” and believes the money could be better spent on existing youth projects that have been hit by cuts in recent years.
The union also fears it would create a two-tier workforce with those employed by OnSide to work at the new youth zone not receiving the same national pay and conditions as the council’s existing 40-strong youth work team.
Members of Unite are to lobby councillors at their executive board meeting on Monday (February 16) over the plans. In addition Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, Unite’s national officer for community and youth workers, has written to council leader Terry O’Neil calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the future of youth services in Warrington.
Jarrett-Thorpe said: “There is one youth club and about a dozen youth projects around the borough in different locations already being provided with a budget below £1m. We fear that if the council gives away £3m, these services, which cater for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, will be under threat.”
Unite is also concerned that young people have not been consulted about the proposed “youth zone”, an accusation both the council and OnSide denies.
A Warrington council spokesman said: “The council has agreed in principle to make £3m available to support the development of a youth zone. This is a priority in our capital programme and young people have been consulted as part of this process. However, this does depend on a full business case and risk assessment being completed and a report put forward to a future exec board.”
Last month, OnSide announced plans to open a youth zone in Birkenhead, Wirral by 2016. The organisation currently manages six facilities in Blackburn, Bolton, Carlisle, Manchester, Oldham and Wigan, and last year announced plans to open a further four in Chorley, Preston, Wolverhampton and London.
OnSide plans to establish a network of 21 youth zones by 2020.
Kathryn Morley, chief executive of OnSide Youth Zones said: “We’re very excited about the opportunity of opening a youth zone in partnership with Warrington Youth Club in the town, as it will not only complement and enhance existing provision, providing a centrally located facility that is open to all young people from the borough, especially those from the most disadvantaged communities, it will also enable public funds to go further. By working in partnership with the private sector, the youth zone will unlock funds and bring further investment from Warrington’s business community and from outside the town, which would not otherwise be available.
"All our facilities are youth-led and respond to the needs of local young people, which is why we have already consulted with over 1,900 young people from Warrington to find out if they want a Youth Zone; 86% of them told us they did. Youth Zones support to young people to raise their aspirations, develop confidence and promote lifelong positive behaviour and attitudes."
Described as a “unique four-way partnership” between the private sector, local authorities, young people and communities, youth zones offer modern facilities where young people can learn new skills, make new friends and seek advice from youth workers.
