Shake up to protect the future of youth

Youth Zone... Mahdlo

YOUTH services run by Oldham Council could be turned into an "arms-length" organisation with greater community and faith-group input, under budget plans being discussed by the council's Cabinet.

The council needs to find £57 million in savings over the next two years Ñ on top of £140 million already made in the last five years.

On Monday, the Cabinet will discuss restructuring future youth services to make them sustainable and in-line with its co-operative ambitions.

Strong
Youth services began to be devolved to districts in April, 2012.

They now come under the day-to-day supervision of council district officers.

Meanwhile, youth workers have moved away from traditional youth club work to developing schemes with voluntary, community and faith groups. Oldham Youth Council is also being consulted about the plans.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet member for co-operatives and neighbourhoods, said: "We are in a time of huge cuts so we need to look ahead to ensure our youth offering is sustainable. Subject to Cabinet approval we have already agreed with Oldham Youth Council that they are to be consulted and involved at each stage of this exercise.

"That's to ensure what is delivered will properly reflect young people's needs. It will, in effect, be a joint-commissioning process with them.

"The key is to ensure a quality future service and commissioning something in a different way."

A Cabinet report states: "Simply slicing the youth budget is not enough. We have begun taking the steps needed to unconnect youth offerings from a reliance on council funding by taking a community development approach in the districts."

A youth service business unit has been formed to generate income. It mainly conducts business with schools including sports, music, swimming services, outdoor education and study support.

It currently brings in over £3.25 million annually and generated a profit of £398,000 in 2012/13 which fully covered its costs.

Staff are keen to develop the unit further and have opportunities in Huddersfield.

The borough currently uses a mix of public, voluntary and business organisations to run youth services including the Mahdlo youth zone.

Oldham Council has an agreement there with Onside North-West, Big Lottery and Mahdlo Youth Zone charitable trust.

The council contributes £400,000 per year and the deal has two years remaining.

The Cabinet paper suggests a full consultation should be held.

Lib-Dem deputy leader, Councillor John McCann, said: "District partnerships have funding which they can use to buy youth services. In Saddleworth we paid £1,500 for the Young Leader programme.

"I accept services have to be efficient and they are managed well, but I have concerns about where future expert advice will come from."