Fury over council plan to charge rent to new mental health service in Ludlow

Ludlow Young Health, a fortnightly drop-in, is set to be launched in February by the town's Youth Partnership and the Children's Society after £10,500 was raised by supporters to see it through its first year.

But organisers have been left angered after the council said it would charge the service a fee for each session held at Ludlow Youth Centre.

In a member's question to the council's cabinet, Councillor Tracey Huffer, who represents Ludlow East and is chair of the Youth Partnership, asked how the charge could be justified.

She said: "Our sponsors are enthusiastic. We have enough money for one year and will begin fundraising for future years at the formal of launch at the beginning of February.

"However, we have had trouble explaining to volunteer fundraisers and other contributors why we must pay a rent for every session that we hold at Ludlow Youth Centre.

"This centre was built with public and local funds. It is the preferred location by all parties for the drop-in sessions we have spent nearly a year organising. We need every penny we can get.

"Can the leader of the council explain why Shropshire Council is implementing this tax on young mental health?"

In response, the council said it would not make a profit from the rent, but that it was merely to cover the running costs of the building.

Leader Peter Nutting said: "The council is very supportive of the excellent work carried out around mental health but unfortunately due to its significant financial pressures cannot support accommodation costs for all such youth related activities.

"We recognise the great work that the project will accomplish and would be happy to work with the group to explore how external supporting funding might be secured, possibly through charities and lottery funding."

Councillor Huffer said she would continue to push the council to waive the fee.