Shropshire Council cuts: Youth service funding slashed

The move was attacked by one council leader, who warned it could affect activities enjoyed by thousands of young people.

The council wants to cut funding for youth services from £234,950 to £117,250 next year. Shrewsbury would be one of the worst affected areas, losing £40,000 in grants currently given to Shrewsbury Town Council for the service.

Oswestry's grant for youth services will be cut from £24,640 to £11,500, Market Drayton from £24,060 to £11,500, Whitchurch from £15,580 to £11,500, and Longden, Ford, Rea Valley and Loton from £16,630 to £6,000.

Councillor Alan Mosley, who leads Shrewsbury Town Council, today said he was disappointed Shropshire Council has not reconsidered the funding cut, after announcing measures to avoid some of its most drastic cuts. He said: "It is a massive reduction and we are very disappointed it has not been able to extend the relaxation to the cuts and I will be asking it to do so."

Shrewsbury is one of only a number of areas which will lose out if Shropshire Council's cabinet approves the funding cut next Wednesday.

A number of areas will see their funding cut from £3,000 a year to zero under the proposals. They include Bishop's Castle, Chirbury, Worthen and Clun, Strettondale and Burnell, Ellesmere, Five Perry Parishes, Tern and Severn Valley, St Oswald, Craven Arms and rural, Highley and Brown Clee, and Much Wenlock and Shipton.

In a report on the proposals, Shropshire Council says the funding will allow for Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Ludlow and Bridgnorth, to employ two youth workers per session.

It also says that no future room hire charges will be subsidised by the authority.

For Minsterley, Weston Rhyn, Gobowen and Wem the funding will provide one youth worker per session.