Youth club to close

OAKBANK Youth Centre in North Chadderton is to close, it has been revealed.

However, South Chadderton Youth Centre in Lancaster Street has been saved from the chop under a shake-up of provision across the borough.

Oldham Council is currently carrying out a review of all its youth services — from staffing to premises — in a bid to save £660,000.

The findings have not been released, but the new-look provision will include a £5million youth centre in the town centre announced today (see page 1).

Service director Jill Beaumont from the youth service revealed that Oak Bank would close, but not immediately.

She said that this would be replaced with detached youth workers to target children hanging about on the streets in areas such as Asda, and more provision at South Chadderton Youth Centre.

Negotiations are also under way with Radclyffe School to provide Friday and Saturday night activities.

Ms Beaumont added: “We are not looking at reducing provision for young people, we are looking at engaging more young people.”

Youngsters who never get into trouble have scooped £1,500.

The area committee agreed to spend the money on activities to reward young people who are well-behaved, work hard and help others.

Co-opted members came up with the idea after the committee also allocated the same amount for half-term activities at Radclyffe School for children from across Chadderton who have come to the attention of the police.

It followed a similar, successful programme at half-term.

Councillor John Hudson said: “It is great that the co-opted members have come up with this scheme to reward the youngsters we do not read about in the paper. I think it’s a good idea.”

Members will work with schools to decide on the activities and who should benefit.