Youth service revamp set to slash costs

ANOTHER shake-up of Oldham’s youth services will slim down the management and save almost £360,000.

And the council’s is to review all youth premises to identify more savings.

Youth sport, the youth service and extended learning posts have been merged into a new Integrated Youth Service, saving £125,000.

The management and administrative staff will be merged — with posts slimmed down from 19 to eight. Talks are being held with unions about redeployment and possible redundancies.

The third phase is to look at money spent on youth premises. The aim is to make a total saving over all three areas of £660,000.

There have already been protests about plans to close youth centres, and Labour councillors have vowed to oppose the cuts.

Under a detailed schedule seen by Labour councillors and sent by a senior council officer, only Cannon Street will remain as a dedicated youth centre.

However, Oldham’s deputy leader, Liberal Democrat Councillor Jackie Stanton, said the changes are an attempt to bring youth services together, modernise them and make them better for everyone.