The strengthening of local authorities' commissioning role will be good news to voluntary youth organisations, although sector skills council Lifelong Learning UK has its doubts (see p2), while the empowerment of communities to take ownership of youth facilities might help to save some youth clubs from closure. An example is Surrey, where the council is exploring renting facilities to community groups, rather than closing them. But a youth club is more than just a building, and it is important that communities can ensure it provides proper youth work.
It is also important that parish councils, if they control youth facilities, receive training on youth involvement. Not all parish councils will fight for youth facilities like Sawtry Parish Council, winner of a Community Empowerment Award for services to young people. Judges praised the council for sticking to its guns over the provision of a youth shelter in the face of local opposition.
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