Youth cuts could lead to crime rise

Buy photos» Redditch Student Council members Chloe Bates, vice-chair, Jess Randall, Millie Vincent and chair Charlotte Toomer protested against the closure of Redditch Youth House when the changes were first announced. Picture by Alex Bradbury 2411017ABR.

Ian Dipple

25 November. Updated: 25 November 16:27

CLOSING Redditch Youth House and slashing funding for youth services could spark a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour it has been warned.

Councillors agreed at a cabinet meeting of Worcestershire County Council yesterday (Thursday) to sell off the Ipsley Street building, potentially raising up to £200,000, as part of efforts to cut £1.4million from the youth services budget.

Funding for youth services in Redditch will also be cut by almost £55,000 and responsibility for spending the money transferred to a new commissioning group made up of councillors and young people with the focus on the most disadvantaged children. Another £100,000 will also be available to support voluntary and community sector organisations working with young people. The changes will be imposed by 2014.

But Charlotte Toomer, chair of Redditch Student Council, said the decision was wrong and would force young people with nowhere else to go out onto the streets.
"We haven't been listened to. They are forever moaning about young people on the streets but by doing this the situation is going to get worse. Taking the youth house away will lead to more kids on the streets and more crime," she said.

In a statement read to councillors on his behalf, County Councillor Terry Spencer, who represents the ward the youth house is based in, said it was another blow to the area following the closure of the REDI Centre and he was concerned about its impact, particularly as there had been past difficulties in finding alternative accommodation for community groups which used the building.

"As seems to be usual these days it is those that are most vulnerable that will be affected," he said.

But Coun Liz Eyre, responsible for children and young people's social care, said she made no apologies for moving in a direction that would see the limited resources they had, spent on youth services rather than on buildings and overheads. Redditch Youth House costs more than £51,000 a year to run, without staff costs, and would cost £137,500 in maintenance over the next ten years.

Coun Jane Potter, who represents Arrow Valley West and is responsible for education on the county council, said there were other youth centres in the town which were better used and discussions were taking place with nearby Trinity High School about accommodating some of the activities and groups Redditch Youth House currently catered for.

"I welcome the fact we are planning to spend our limited resources more effectively by focusing on services for young people rather than buildings to achieve better outcomes."

Youth centres based at Arrow Vale and Kingsley College will be handed over to the schools to run on the basis they are still available for use by the community.