Southampton Labour finds breathing space for Newtown Youth Centre

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Southampton Labour finds breathing space for Newtown Youth Centre

By Southampton Labour ⋅ January 31, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment

Southampton’s Labour Administration is pleased to announce that revised budget proposals published today include a reprieve for Newtown Youth Centre and Adventure Playground, subject to a final decision by Councillors on 13th February.

In the first version of the 2013/14 budget, announced in November, a proposal was made to remove the whole of the youth and play service, and what is now being proposed is a partial reduction, which can allow time for transition to alternatives where possible and a review of service options going forward.

There has been a high level of feedback on this particular proposal during the consultation period. Cllr Sarah Bogle said:

“I attended a packed public meeting at Newtown Youth Centre in December. There are many different groups who use this facility and the passion people showed about how important this place was to their lives was impressive.

“We are now talking to a number of people and groups in the community to find a way of keeping the facilities open, and delivered differently in the longer term. What this proposal does is create some breathing space to work through alternative options. We do recognise these are hard times, and we are trying to mitigate as much as we can.

Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews said:

“This is a really valued resource for the local community in Newtown, and I am determined to find a viable solution to secure it for future generations. I have already met with several interested groups and I feel we can find a way forward.

“The final decision will be made on 13th February. We have listened, and we hope that all the Councillors in the city will support the revised proposals. We will continue to lobby the Government to give a fairer deal to this city.”

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