Anger at proposed cuts to youth funding in Shropshire
Plans to completely cut funding for youth activities in some of Shropshire's most rural areas have sparked anger.
Councillors representing the rural areas are concerned about the impact the cuts will have on young people who they believe should be looked after.
They are also concerned the areas continue to miss out on funding, compared with larger towns such as Shrewsbury.
Shropshire Council said that from 2018 it is planning to reduce the budget by nearly 50 per cent, from £234,950 to £135,000.
Money will be spent in six areas. which the council has identified as having the greatest need – Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, and Ludlow.
But 12 other local joint committee (LJC) areas – such as Wem and Shawbury, Ellesmere, Shifnal and Sheriffhales, Albrighton, and Bayston Hill, which have previously received funding – are set to lose out on financial support completely.
Under the plans, Shrewsbury would receive £45,000, with the other five areas receiving £18,000 each.
The proposal was discussed at the council's cabinet meeting yesterday.
Speaking at the meeting, Shropshire councillor for Wem Pauline Dee, said: "I understand we are having funds removed by central government but in Wem we are going to have our grant completely taken away.
"We have struggled in Wem to get the youth club back to where it was. I know about youth and what their needs are.
"People look to go somewhere they can relax and enjoy themselves. We need to be looking after our young people.
"In large market towns there is good transport where people can get around easily. But we haven't got that in Wem."
Her thoughts were echoed by Councillor Madge Shineton, representing Cleobury Mortimer, who said: "We have to look at transport with this sort of thing. Shrewsbury has lots of facilities – we have nothing."
At the meeting cabinet members approved the recommendations set out in a report, which includes running a six-week consultation on its plans based around an online survey.
Cabinet member, Councillor Nick Bardsley, said: "If people think the proposals are not right, argue why they are not right.
"Significant budget cuts are inevitable and we have to decide how we target the resources we have got left."
