Isle of Wight considers youth service incentives for charities
Laura McCardle
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Isle of Wight council is considering offering financial incentives to voluntary and community groups to get them involved in delivering youth services.
The council has launched a public consultation on the plans as it looks to save £200,000 from the youth service’s £916,000 budget.
Some of the incentives being considered include the council offering match funding along with parish and town councils to help not-for-profit organisations provide youth services.
Buildings could also be transfered to new service providers or closed altogether to save money, while the island's council would also like to work in partnership with other youth work providers.
Under the proposals, which were developed as part of a “root and branch” review of all council services, the local authority also wants to develop a more targeted service designed around the needs of local communities.
However, the council says it still remains committed to making services available to "all young people" as part of a universal offering.
Richard Priest, the cabinet member responsible for children’s services, says the proposed changes could improve the quality of service provision.
He said: “These proposed changes are designed to help make services and activities fair for all young people.
“In developing the proposals we have considered the need to deliver modern and varied youth services that are accessible and inclusive.
“We also need to ensure young people get the right support, in the right place at the right time and know where to go for the right information and advice.”
The findings of the consultation, which ends on 28 February, will be discussed by the council’s cabinet later this year.
