Shropshire Star

Calls to restore £20,000 of funding for Shrewsbury youth services

Youth services in Shrewsbury could see up to £20,000 of proposed funding cuts restored.

Published
Councillor Alan Mosley

Shropshire Council's cabinet last month approved plans to slash the county-wide youth budget from £234,950 to £174,500.

Shrewsbury was earmarked to bear the brunt of the cuts, with its budget reduced from £81,000 to £25,000, while Oswestry and Market Drayton will see cuts of around £10,000 each. They, along with Bridgnorth, Whitchurch and Ludlow, will receive £14,500 over the next year.

The controversial move was called in by Councillor David Vasmer, who represents Underdale, to be discussed a meeting of the performance management scrutiny committee.

Councillor Nicholas Bardsley, portfolio holder for children and young people, told the committee Shrewsbury Town Council had only made contact the previous evening to ask about transitional funding to soften the blow.

But he said it was something he would consider after discussions with the town council.

Labour group leader Councillor Alan Mosley, who represents Castlefields and Ditherington, said the funding should be boosted back up to £45,000, the proposed figure outlined in a cabinet report from October 2017.

He said the town council was being targeted by Shropshire Council after taking on the running of youth provision in Shrewsbury.

This was rejected by the committee, but members did agree to put a recommendation to cabinet that transition funding be looked into.

"The cuts to Shrewsbury have been unfair," said Councillor Mosley.

"Why not go back to what it was supposed to be? It's a great shame that the scrutiny committee has not recommended the right thing.

"The town council expected and budgeted for a cut down to £45,000, but to cut it further is a kick in the teeth for young people in Shrewsbury.

"I hope that cabinet sees sense and restores the grant."

Councillor Hannah Fraser, who represents Abbey, said the funding could easily be restored as Shropshire Council had already budgeted for the full £234,950 for 2018/19 before the extra cuts were proposed.

She added: "Youth services are not a priority for Shropshire Council. But if you don't support young people properly, then you end up with bigger and more expensive problems further down the line."