Groups in running for Shropshire youth centre contract

The organisations, which have not been identified, are currently preparing formal submissions to take over the running of Market Drayton Youth Centre.

The future of the Drayton Grove building has been uncertain for months after Shropshire Council, which owns the venue, announced it would be cutting back on services in a bid to save about £140,000.

The youth centre is currently on the council's community asset transfer list and has been open for groups to express an interest. Shropshire Council has said it will meet the running costs of the building for the next 12 months.

Councillor Roger Hughes, who represents Market Drayton West on Shropshire Council, said Market Drayton Town Council was previously interested in taking over the running of it but didn't wish to pursue the move.

"It is very important to the town and I hope one of the organisations looking at it is successful," he said.

"It's essential work is carried out to make the facility available to a wider group of young people.

"It would lend itself to homework clubs and a youth café. Obviously a lot will depend on the organisation and the will of the people who are successful."

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for resources, finance and support, said: "The council is currently at the stage of assessing expressions of interest for community asset transfer.

"Two organisations indicated an initial interest in Market Drayton Youth Centre and are currently preparing their more formal submissions.

"Following this, an evaluation process will take place to determine if one organisation can be selected to progress through to the next stage, which again involves an assessment and dialogue in respect of potential business planning.

"Although the council has decided to make a number of its youth centres available for consideration for community asset transfer, no decisions have yet been taken with regard to their future."

Earlier this year it was revealed the Market Drayton and Rural Areas Local Joint Committee had been given funding of £24,060 to commission activities for young people and has agreed to set up a minimum of two evening youth club sessions per week during term time.

The money is part of a new system where Shropshire Council awards funding to local joint committees to commission youth activities, with the contract remaining under the council's responsibility.

Figures put forward by the joint committee showed there were 2,762 10 to 19-year-olds in the Market Drayton area, of those 40 had been registered with a disability.

Figures also highlighted there were 805 incidents of anti-social behaviour committed by people aged 10 to 19 in the area in one year and 197 10 to 19-year-olds have poor school attendance.