Extra money on hold

Royton, Shaw & Crompton District Partnership
PROJECTS in Royton, Shaw and Crompton aimed at young people kicking alcohol and flab out of their lives has been put on hold.

More than £8,000 was proposed to help more than 100 youngsters through initiatives to tackle high levels of obesity and drunkeness.

But the majority of local councillors were not happy with the proposals — some saying issues should be dealt with by other bodies outside of the council.

Cllr Steven Bashforth, of Royton South ward, told last night’s meeting: “We would normally say yes to this, but I am not going to support this, as I can’t see the benefits.

“I think the Youth Only Service is helping and it’s giving a real outlet, so I have no problem with the £10,000.”

The district partnership are giving £10,888 to the successful Youth Only Zone, run by the Integrated Youth Service and Oldham Athletic Community Trust — which has tackled anti-social behaviour head on.

IYS’s Adele Wright said the funding to lower the obesity and alcohol misuse levels was on top of the mainstream provision and more need the provision. The initiatives have been deferred to a later date.