Young people lose out as youth service faces £2million in cuts

The county council's press release lists the shaping of "new-look" youth services to meet "modern needs" as the reasons for the consultation.

Quite plausible, one would thing.

Unfortunately, the consultation document pointedly refers to "reducing costs" and lists a target of 2m in cuts as the first issue for consideration.

These proposed cuts will lead to one of the most affluent counties in the country providing unequal access to personal development opportunities for many of our young people.

The council's stated aim to increase spending for young people deemed in need of professional help is easily justified, but not at the expense of our front line youth service.

Over recent decades the youth service has taken many hits.

It cannot and must not take any more.

It is essential that the youth service staff, officers and volunteers are enabled to participate at all levels of the decision-making process if we are to have any faith in the outcome of this review.

If the county council really means to shape and deliver a "new-look" youth service suited to "modern times", they it should be investing in our young people, not taking opportunities away from them.

But perhaps cost-cutting is the real driving force behind the consultation, and not improvement to services.

George O'Neill

Bayford Road

Littlehampton

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address for publication.

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