Liberal Democrat Leader Slams Further Conservative Cuts To Youth Services

Somerset Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservative County Council’s decision to dramatically further cut the County Youth Service budget. Plans to provide support towards a paid professional Youth Worker, to be shared between the four main community associations in Yeovil, may have to be abandoned because of the dramatic cuts to the service.

Somerset County Council Youth Service Officers had been in the process of helping the Yeovil community associations go through the process of employing a paid professional Youth Worker suitable for the task when further cuts to the Youth Service were announced.

The imposed cuts from the Conservative administration at County Hall could be very far reaching, including reducing the provision for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and the closure of many Youth Clubs across Somerset, who will be left without trained Youth Workers. Since taking control of Somerset County Council in 2009 the Conservatives aim to cut 75% of youth service provision.

Councillor Sam Crabb, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Somerset County Council said:

“Much good work has been done by the voluntary sector but there is a small core of more young people who require the greater professional guidance, help and support of a fully qualified Youth Worker, which cannot be provided by the voluntary sector. 

“I am particularly concerned that a decision has been made with no risk assessment having been done. The loss of this expertise will have a severe and far reaching impact on our communities and the consequences of these cut backs clearly have not been thought through by the Conservatives running Somerset County Council.”

Category: Constituency News