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Voluntary groups could be used to run youth services in bid to cut costs

Voluntary groups could be drafted in to help run some youth services in the Black Country in a bid to cut costs.

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Dudley Council is to slash £200,000 from the budget and youth worker positions are at risk.

Children's services boss Councillor Tim Crumpton said the council was looking at how voluntary groups could take on services such as helping young people with disabilities.

Councils across the region have slashed their budgets for youth services.

Walsall Council announced last week that it would be getting rid of £2million from its budget which will lead to a cut in services, while children's centres in the borough will also close.

Some 30 youth centres in Wolverhampton closed down earlier this year due to council cuts.

Councillor Crumpton's comments came after a crowd of protesters gathered outside Dudley Council House as part of a campaign against the proposed cuts to the borough's youth services.

See also: £950k youth service cuts to go ahead in Sandwell.

Representatives from unions Unite, Unison and GMB were part of those present on Friday as well as volunteers who work at various youth services in the area.

Dan Millard, a Unite rep, said: "We have taken and suffered these cuts for four years now.

"This is the final straw. They are talking about getting rid of universal services and all that will remain is one centre so every other place will lose out.

"Over 1,000 young people will not have access to these services anymore. The bottom line is that we do not want any cuts at all."

The proposals could see cuts of up to £200,000 from youth services and the loss of around 50 per cent of part time youth workers.

The protesters said that by lobbying the council in protest they hoped to reopen a dialogue to see how else the cuts could be implemented.

Cathy Bayton, Unison Dudley branch chair, said: "We really are hoping to reopen a dialogue by showing the positive impact that the youth services provides to young people in the borough.

"There is a currently a lot of discussion about anti-social behaviour and cuts to the youth services in the area will impact that."

Councillor Crumpton, added: "Officers from this council have been around the country to see how other authorities, who are in a similar state to us, are handling their cuts.

"Eventually it is hoped the volunteer sector will be able to bid to provide services in areas such as dealing with anti-social behaviour and youth crime, helping young people with disabilities and providing support to children who have been sexually exploited.

"I spoke to the protesters, many of whom I know, and I have a lot of sympathy for them. I will be talking to them further, as well as regular users of youth services, about what we can do to offset any problems they may have."

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