Tory county council neglecting youth services

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Sep 2007

In 2002 the Government recommended that spending on the youth service should be around £100 per young person. In 2007 the Tory controlled County Council provides less than half that amount, in itself a fall in funding since 2006.

Cllr Allan Witherick, LibDem county youth spokesperson, said:

'The OFSTED for Hertfordshire concluded that our buildings are unsuitable and posts are being held empty by the Tory Council. The core funding is considered low, and is one of the lowest in the country. Is it any surprise that young people feel like they are forgotten by the Tory County Council? I was horrified to hear at a recent meeting on community safety how little the Tory council is doing to support young people. Instead they are looking to sell off Youth Music Studios and other facilities for property development with no assurances that all of the money will be reinvested in our young people.'

Cllr Chris White, Liberal Democrat Leader, added: 'We know that young people represent the future of our county and our country. We need to provide proper investment now if we want to prevent things getting worse. The Tory funding for youth is so poor that in many areas district and even town councils are having to fund youth workers and activities.

'We hope that the County Council recognises the value a decent Youth Service could provide.'