Major youth services shake-up

Oldham Council Cabinet

Councillors have “reluctantly” approved a plan for community organisations to provide services for young people previously the job of the council.

Oldham Youth Zone Mahdlo and Oldham Community Leisure will continue the council’s work with local voluntary and community sectors in each district, and create employment for six council youth development staff at Mahdlo for 12 months.

“I’m not very happy having to do this but we have to save money in some way,” said Councillor for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, Barbara Brownridge.

“We recognise the fantastic work the district officers do and it is a shame that this will eventually go.”

The report says some youth centre buildings may close as a result of the changes - but the council has promised that Mahdlo is contractually obliged to provide youth centres and community assets such as churches and local tenant and resident halls in each district.

The council will save around £600,000 in 2015-16 as a result of the changes.