Delight as youth services saved

Youth services bosses have praised young people and staff for their help with a consultation which they say has safeguarded front line services in Staffordshire in the face of a £300,000 cost-cutting drive.

It was feared that youth clubs, outreach youth services and work in schools would all suffer under Staffordshire County Council's original money-saving scheme.

But, following the consultation, the council has decided to make the savings by axing 23 management and adminstration jobs and making more efficient use of resources.

Councillor Eric Drinkwater, cabinet support member with responsibility for the youth service, said the move was a triumph for "people power".

He said the service had to make savings to balance the budget by April 2008.

But he said: "The impact on young people themselves has been minimised because the reduction focuses on management and administration staff.

"This allows the council to protect the number of hours part-time workers will spend engaging with young people in Staffordshire."

A review of the council's youth service began in May and involved extensive consultation with service users and employees.

Councillor Drinkwater said the feedback had a significant impact on the original proposals, shifting the balance of cuts to protect face-to-face youth work.

"In any review of services there will inevitably be concern. However, given the review was a necessity, the council was determined to gather the views of those that would be affected," he said.

"Evidence from the consultation has been looked at in detail and has had a real impact, significantly altering the original proposals in favour of face-to-face youth work with young people.

"This is the whole point of consultation, and the council is grateful for the candid responses we have had. It is clear that young people and staff care very much about the youth service and are keen to ensure the service continues to meet the needs of customers."

The review of the youth service was part of a wider need for financial savings across the county council.