Cambridge's Youth Champion attacks youth services cuts

19 February 2006

Cambridge's Youth Champion today attacked the city's ruling Liberal Democrats for failing to honour pledges over providing much-needed youth facilities in the city.

He said the Labour opposition would be urging the reversal of proposed youth services cuts during the budget debate on Thursday (Feb 22).

Labour councillor Ben Stafford said that one thing that 'came across loud and clear' during the Youth Champion campaign last year was concern by young people about the lack of places in Cambridge where they could meet and socialise.

He added: 'I have met a number of young people and youth organisations over the last few months and I am increasingly concerned that the City Council is not doing enough to provide facilities and venues for young people to meet in the city centre.'

One group he met, the House Project, told him about their long search for a secure and affordable place to meet. 'The City Council has a commitment to work with partners to provide such a facility, but they don't seem to be making much progress. I will be asking executive councillors this week when they will honour their pledges to provide these much-needed facilities.'

Councillor Stafford said: 'Sadly, it seems that the ruling group, rather than seeing youth services as one of the key things the council should provide, view them as an easy option for cuts.

'If we want to build stronger communities and involve young people in the life of the city, it's time we started taking their concerns and needs seriously.'