by political editor Paul Francis

A far-reaching shake-up of Kent’s youth services is to go ahead as planned despite widespread opposition and concerns about the impact of some clubs closing.

Kent County Council is proposing to press on with its original plans - first unveiled last July - unchanged.

It will mean that services for 131,000 youngsters will no longer be provided directly by the council, but would be brought in from the private and voluntary sector.

The move could affect 120 jobs and will save about £1m.

The decision follows a public consultation that saw a mixed response to the plans.

According to KCC, there was "significant support" for the concept of youth hubs although its own analysis showed more than half disagreed with the idea.

In total, about 700 people and organisations responded to the consultation.

youth service shake-up

"these are the youth centres that kcc suggested last year may close or could be handed over to other organisations under the shake-up. however, no decisions will be made until local communities have been consulted and some could become 'hubs'":
canterbury: whitstable youth centredartford: the bridge youth arts centremaidstone: shepway youth centre; lenham youth centreswale: sheerness county youth centre; faversham youth centrethanet: concorde youth centre; artwise youth centretunbridge wells: mascalls youth centre

ashford: xc youth centre; sk8side youth centre

dover: lindwood youth centre; aylesham youth centre

gravesham: miracles youth centre; the gr@nd

sevenoaks: edenbridge youth centre (due to open 2012)

tonbridge and malling: samays youth centre

KCC says the reorganisation represents a chance to improve youth services, but has acknowledged some centres may have to close.

Many of those opposing the plans say they will put access to local youth services out of reach for many.

Cllr Mike Hill (Con), cabinet member for communities, said it was wrong to assume that if centres did close, then there would be no youth services.

He also said local people would be directly involved in deciding what services they wanted and voluntary groups and charities were keen about taking over services run by KCC.

Cllr Hill said: "We have an opportunity here to deliver, at the end of the day, an even better youth service. The main concern from people has been about their own youth centres closing.

"The difficulty we have is making people understand that the youth service is not a building, but can be delivered in a very different way. The fact that there will be a hub for each district does not mean every centre is closing.

"The hubs will be a focal point for youth services in each area."

Opposition Labour leader Cllr Gordon Cowans said: "I am extremely disappointed but not surprised. I understand that the county council has to make cuts, but the money should be found from elsewhere.

"I do not see how improvements can be achieved by making these kind of cuts. This is a false economy."

The Archbishop of Canterbury is among those who have expressed concerns, telling campaigners it was crucial to retain decent youth services.

Under the plans, each district will have a centrally located hub; at least one community youth tutor; one street-based project and various commissioned work. Services would be provided by independent groups, charities and the private sector.

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