Wiltshire's Youth Services face termination

2 Aug 2011

£600,000 cut
Youth Centres to be lost
Risk of surge in anti-social behaviour

Planned cuts to the Youth Service could decimate young lives, Wiltshire's Liberal Democrats have warned.

Helen Osborn, Lib Dem Councillor for Trowbridge Lambrok, and spokesperson for Children's Services said "We live, unfortunately, in an age of reduced spending and all round belt-tightening. The Liberal Democrats know that efficiencies are needed so the Youth Service can save money and trim it's budget. However, following savings already found in the Youth Services last year, the level of cuts is far too savage."

"However, the Conservatives suggestions, and particularly the frantic pace at which they are already implementing them, could spell disaster for Wiltshire's young people. We're worried that these cuts will inevitably lead to big costs elsewhere, including antisocial behaviour and vandalism."

"In Trowbridge, the Conservatives are talking about putting youth service into the new campus. But the campus doesn't exist yet. Where will vulnerable young people go in the meantime?"

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Lib Dem Group Leader said, "The Lib Dems are offering constructive criticism to the Conservative Administration. Funding from the Council's surplus that can allow cuts to the Youth Services to be phased in, giving Councillors and the public vital time to scrutinise and amend these proposals. If the Council will slow down, these cuts will hurt less, and lead to far fewer unintended consequences."