Trade unions urge West Sussex residents to condemn cuts
TWO trade unions have joined forces to urge West Sussex residents to speak out against “damaging” cuts to the county’s youth services.
UNISON and the Community and Youth Workers’ Union (CYWU) are calling for a major response to the county council’s public consultation on the future of youth services.
The council has already slashed £2m from its spending on services ranging from community youth work to initiatives to prevent re-offending, and now proposes a further £2m in cuts over the next three years.
“This first round of cuts has been appalling for the service and our young people. But now the council is coming back for more. A further £2m will be cut from the service over the next three years – unless the public speak out to defend their service and tell councillors ‘no more’,” said Daniel Sartin, deputy branch secretary of UNISON West Sussex.
Jason O’Hagan, branch chairman of the West Sussex CYWU, said: “Adolescents are not adults, and they are not children. Medical studies show that brain function is different during adolescence – young people think and act differently to how we as adults might expect.
“What’s more, young people are entering the toughest period for decades, as job opportunities dry up and youth unemployment rises. Now more than ever, we need professional, trained staff within youth services to help our young people make the right choices and stay on the right path.
“Any further cuts could have significant impact right across our communities and services. For the sake of balancing the books now, West Sussex may well pay the price for such short-sighted actions for decades to come.”
The unions warned that community groups, already hit by funding cuts themselves, would be unable to take over parts of the youth service as the county council hoped.
Mr Sartin added: “Councillors should not kid the public. You cannot take £4m out of a professional service and expect churches and the voluntary sector to pick up the pieces. We’ve seen no evidence that the Big Society agenda is making any difference to West Sussex’s communities in the face of these damaging cuts.”
The consultation continues until October 14 and the questionnaire is available at: http://www.yourspacewestsussex.co.uk/your_voice/public_consultation/online_questionnaire.aspx
Peter Evans, county council cabinet member for children and families, said: “We need to consider new and imaginative ways to provide services. A number of youth activities have already been taken over by the voluntary sector and local community groups. We are keen to find out what more can be done to support this Big Society agenda.”
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
frankly
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 06:37 PM@3 Probably Cllr Moonshine Joby,don`t you think?
frankly
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 12:54 PMIf we didn`t have this broken society with all the associated family problems that eminate from it, then it follows we would not have the need for this huge costly Council Youth Service. I think we need to reign back the benefits culture in general. It has become an industry in itself. It`s jobs we need, that generates discipline and a daily purpose,also much needed, NOT handouts!
patrick newman
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:33 AMMis-representing the Cllr's views as having "personal interests" is rather unpleasant and significantly does not address the specifics of hisher criticisms of WSCC. Yes the Coalition have hit local government with a 28% front loaded central grant cut but that is no justification for each and every decision the County makes and we know in the cuts arena they have 'form'.
Joby
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 02:20 PM@ 1 ...PS, Where are you a Councillor ?
Joby
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 01:45 PMCllr Shone wrote, ...... "If you want to have a bigger and better society you have to invest in todays young people or face the outcome." What would the real and productive outputs and outcomes be if these cuts were not made ? Remember, every local authority in Britain is having to make similar decisions. Having your own personal interests as a Trustee of a Youth Wing at heart is understandable but only touches a tiny part of wider financial necessities in the current climate.
Cllr. M.Shone
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 12:30 PMAnyone reading this consultation questionnaire can be forgiven for thinking that it is slanted in favour of the proposals that the County Youth Service would wish to see implemented. The previous so called consultation ended up with a shambolic outcome creating many uncertainties and with cuts to front line youth workers when more senior management posts were not reduced as they could have been.Far better, in order to save money, to cut from the top down rather than the bottom up. I, and my fellow Trustees of the Chichester Youth Wing have previously complained to the Ombudsman about the manifest failings of the management of the County Youth service locally. It is pie in the sky to think that the already hard working and financially stretched voluntary groups can plug the gap in youth provision. If you want to have a bigger and better society you have to invest in todays young people or face the outcome.
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