Grants for York children's projects to be axed
Joe Lepper
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Children and young people's projects across York are facing cuts in their council grants of up to 50 per cent this year due to a reduction in government funding.
The council needs to shave £600,000 off the original £1.4m YCAP allocation and around 23 groups will see up to half their allocation cut.
Those affected include the Prince’s Trust, York Museums Trust and CYC Intergrated Services for Disability.
Funding from central government to the council for projects to help vulnerable young people through the Early Intervention Fund Grants (EIF) is also being cut.
The council has decided to put in place a blanket 25 per cent cut across all 14 grants allocated through this scheme to meet the shortfall. Those affected include the Young Travellers Learning Project and Young Carers.
Three organisations -- York Boxing Club, Running Wild, and York CVS -- will be among the hardest hit as they rely on money from both EIF and YCAP.
A decision on whether to approve the cuts will be made by councillor Carol Runciman, the council’s executive member for children and young people on 14 September.
A report presented to her by Paul Murphy, assistant director of adults, children and education, says that those affected have been consulted and "though disappointed, have recognised that the position is not of the council’s making".
Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire County Council’s cabinet has agreed plans to cut £1m from its youth work and Connexions budgets. This is roughly a third of the total budget.
The savings will be made through integrating the two services into a single Youth Support Service and cutting 35 jobs.
