Vulnerable left out in cold

Proposals for a cash-strapped council to loan £3m to a charity to develop a “youth zone” could threaten over a dozen existing youth projects and centres in Warrington, Unite is warning. The union has called for an urgent meeting with Warrington Borough council leaders over fears the move is “the thin end of the privatisation wedge”.

Unite, which represents the youth and community workers at the council says the money could be better spent investing in existing youth projects which have been hit by year-on-year cuts. Youth services are already under pressure and face another ÂŁ150,000 cut in their annual budget in 2015/16.

Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, Unite national officer for community and youth workers, has written to the council leader Terry O’Neill asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the future of youth services in the Cheshire town.

A council wants to loan £3m to a charity – OnSide – to develop a ‘youth zone’ in Warrington. Unite warns that this may appeal to young people from more affluent backgrounds and not the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Unite members and supporters will lobby the council’s executive board on Monday February 16 to make their views known.

Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe said, “There is one youth club and about a dozen youth projects around the borough in different locations already being provided with a budget below ÂŁ1m. We fear that if the council gives away ÂŁ3m then these services – which cater for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups – will be under threat.

“We are also concerned that the workforce, which would be employed by OnSide, won’t be covered by the local government national pay and conditions enjoyed by the 40 youth workers working for the council.

“We believe that OnSide is a charity with a corporate ethos that will appeal to more affluent young people, and not those living away from the centre of town where the youth zone will be situated in the former Mr Smith building. The council has not consulted young people about the proposed youth zone.

“Our members, who work with young people in Warrington, tell us they want local community venues with local youth workers who they can talk to and receive support – and not a youth zone that will isolate the most vulnerable.”