Youth cuts ‘betray our youngsters’

CUTS to a council’s youth service have been condemned as a “betrayal of young people”.

Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet has decided to reduce the number of staff in its youth service from its current level of 53 to 25.

As reported in yesterday’s Echo, the changes – which also involve Llantwit Major Youth Centre and Western Vale Integrated Children’s Centre being declared surplus to requirements – have been planned as the council wants a more “mobile” youth service with more full-time staff.

Now, two trade unions have united in their condemnation of the youth service changes, as has Barry town councillor Helen Payne.

Councillor Payne, who collected 2,500 signatures for a petition against the plan, said she would continue to fight against it.

“This is not the end,” she said. “This is just the beginning. We’re going to continue our campaign.

“I’m not happy with the fact that young people have not been consulted. It’s a betrayal of young people in the Vale. It’s not based on their needs.”

Andrew Woodman, Unison regional organiser, described the decision as “a travesty for young people and the community”.

He said: “They will lose the dedicated support of qualified youth workers and all sorts of opportunities and support. This is the largest block of redundancies the Vale council has ever seen.

“The council has ignored expert opinion which says: remove youth services and you are likely to see an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime. “This fight isn’t over.” The council has previously said its changes will produce a more reliable youth service with fewer staff absences, and would be able to reach more young people than it can now.

But Jo Galazka, regional Unite, said trade unions ignored by the council.

She said: “Youth workers have been left stunned at the behaviour of the council cabinet, railroading such severe cuts through and brushing aside the concerns of local people and the staff themselves.

“The trade unions suggested a year ago ways how the council might save money and maintain a decent service but we were ignored. Now change has been imposed which will decimate youth provision. Worryingly there has been no children’s rights impact assessment.

“What does this decision say about how the council values employees and the community they serve? We will work as hard as we can to overturn this unjust decision.”

The change to the youth service was approved unanimously by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday, following a public consultation and discussion at two scrutiny committees.

Cllr Bob Penrose, Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet member for learning and culture, said: “The council is looking to restructure its youth service provision in an effort to ensure greater efficiency. Under the proposals exactly the same level of provision would be offered across the Vale.” officer for had been