Cabinet Decides Future of Youth Services

There was a Cabinet meeting at County Hall today to decide on the future of youth services across Oxfordshire.  As part of the 'redesign', there will be a number  of 'hubs' and 'satellites' from which youth services are run from, but other remaining centres will close.  Unfortunately, Wantage is listed as one of the centres to close with the nearest 'hubs' in Abingdon and Didcot.  I spoke at the meeting to argue the case for the Sweatbox and the Beatbox in Wantage and explained how valuable these services are for our communities locally.  I was told that those centres which are run from school buildings are being looked at separately on a case-by-case basis and the Cabinet member said that she was willing to work with local communities to help find a solution.  Well, let us hope this works out.

Jenny Hannaby and I are working with King Alfred's College as well as with County officers to try to keep this vital service going and have meetings planned in the forthcoming weeks.  I am also concerned that there will not be enough money in the Big Society fund to go round if this is to be shared across the county with so many worthy causes.  I will keep you posted as this progresses.

On a brighter note, I also spoke in support of the expansion of Charlton Primary School to go to a two form entry with 60 pupils.   This involves some new buildings at the school and will improve the whole area of learning.  This has been reported on previously when the school hosted the consultation with parents.  I am pleased to say that the Cabinet has now agreed to go ahead.  I am hoping that this will help alleviate the problems with extra places for primary school pupils in the area.