800-strong petition to save youth clubs

Date published: 29 October 2014


FEARS have been raised that changes to services for young people could result in youth centres across the borough closing down.

A petition calling for the council to stop the closure of such services - including school swimming lessons - has amassed more than 800 signatures.

Shadow Cabinet member for education, Councillor Diane Williamson, has expressed concerns about how the new proposals will affect the districts as community group Mahdlo prepares to take on more responsibility.

The Crompton councillor said: “Mahdlo will provide one session a week in each district. Will this once-a-week service be enough to keep centres open in the districts?

“In Shaw and Crompton, we have many activities but these are mainly uniformed services such as beavers, brownies and scouts and don’t appeal to everyone.

“The youth centre we currently have is a hub for other activities and if Mahdlo can only provide one session, what will happen to the kids who use it regularly? What will happen to the building?”

She added: “We have had a lot of anti-social behaviour around the market in Shaw and it feels like we are starting to get on top of it. If the cuts affect activities that prevent anti-social behaviour, we could have a new problem to tackle.

“Money saved by the movement of youth services could actually be spent dealing with new problems created by the cuts.”

Mahdlo chief executive Helen Taylor said Mahdlo had a grant that would allow the group to increase its work in the districts for the next 18 months, but added the future of youth services is still subject to consultation.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We recognise the value of youth services and there has been no decision to close any youth centres in the borough.

“The last five years have been very challenging and we face even tougher budget restraints over the next two years.”

To sign the petition to avoid youth centre closure visit committees.oldham.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=570.