KEY YOUTH facilities have been removed from a hugely-popular centre in Greenfield after Oldham councillors voted to reduce the services due to cuts.
Council-run youth provision is no longer provided at the Satellite Centre on Wellington Road, meaning young people now have to travel to Mahdlo on Egerton Street in Oldham.
The move comes as Oldham Council, which currently spends £2.7million on youth services, looks to make savings of £600,000 for 2015/16 in the sector.
Borough councillors voted at last month’s budget meeting in favour of the changes, with 49 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.
Other youth centres across the borough have seen similar changes, including Royton and Shaw and Crompton, while centres in Failsworth and Werneth have closed completely.
Cllr Barbara Brownridge, OMBC’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Cooperatives, explained: “We’re not closing the Satellite Centre – the council-run youth provision is no longer being run from the facility.
“We want to keep the centre available for community activities and we’re pleased to have already received interest from community groups who want to use it.”
However, the changes to the youth facilities and services available have raised concerns among some councillors.
Cllr John McCann spoke on an amendment on behalf of the Lib Dems at the budget meeting to find funds to invest in youth services – but it was voted down.
The plans included decreasing the number of councillors from 60 to 40, reducing printed council publications and focusing on efficiencies in street lighting.
The Lib Dems said could have freed up to £272,000 to invest in youth services through District Partnerships along with £165,000 for gully cleaning services.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr McCann said: “I am hugely disappointed that Labour-run Oldham Council, with Conservative support, have decided to close Saddleworth’s Youth Service at the Satellite Centre.
“Saddleworth Conservative Councillors Graham Sheldon and John Hudson voted against a scheme to retain youth services. Hundreds of local children will now lose out.”
But Cllr John Hudson, a former youth chairman, declared: “It isn’t just Saddleworth that is suffering, this is happening across the borough.
“We can’t expect OIdham Council to do everything in helping our local youth services.
“If this amendment had been something that had changed anything I would have supported it but I personally don’t think it does.”
Anyone interested in providing activities for young people in Saddleworth, contact Lisa Macdonald: 0161 770 5195 or email: lisa.macdonald@oldham.gov.uk
For more information on changes to youth services visit: www.oldham.gov.uk
Mahdlo offers state-of-the-art youth provision and fantastic activities for 8-21 year olds. Find out more: http://mahdloyz.org/
You must be logged in to post a comment.