Worcestershire council passes plans to halve spend on youth provision
Janaki Mahadevan
Friday, November 25, 2011
Worcestershire County Council has rubberstamped plans to halve the money spent on youth services next year and cease to directly deliver provision from 2014.
As part of an overall savings programme of £70m, money spent on youth services will be reduced by £1.4m, leaving £1.1m to be spent annually over the next three years.
From April 2014 the council will also cease to directly deliver youth services.
The plans were drawn up following consultation with 2,000 residents, including 1,400 young people.
Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people's social care, said: "This decision will see the council continuing to provide around £1m annual investment in positive activities and importantly young people having an active role alongside county councillors in deciding what activities are provided in their local area.
"We have worked hard to ensure where practicable that sustainable facilities are retained through non-council routes but there is more to do. Each area has a mix of solutions and the work will continue."
Over the next three years £1m will be spent each year on more targeted council-delivered provision, focusing on reducing anti-social behaviour and supporting young people at risk of falling out of education, employment or training.
The remaining £100,000 will be used to support the voluntary and community sector. An additional £150,000 will be retained by the council to meet any unforeseen needs.
