Consultation on Hounslow Youth Services

Cut of £650,000 would leave just £212,000

There is just a week to go to have your say on the future of youth services in the borough.

Hounslow Council is reviewing services for young people and wants to hear from residents so it can look to protect those most vulnerable. 

Hounslow council have decided to reduce the budget for youth services by £650k, a decision they attribute to the decreasing funding from central government.

The remaining £212k will be put in place to contribute to:

Providing a service for those with mental wellbeing and emotional needs.

• Providing a service for those at risk of anti-social behaviour and substance misuse.
• Providing a service for the borough’s young carers  

The majority of services for the wider youth community, are provided by voluntary services.

Residents from across the borough’s communities, including young people and carers themselves, are being asked to share their views on proposed changes. 

They can give feedback to the Council by attending consultation events, completing the online questionnaire and submitting comments in writing and via email. 

Councillor Richard Foote, Cabinet Member for Communities, Hounslow Council said: “It’s important we ensure that those most in need receive our support and also a service that meets their needs. 

“It ranges from providing a range of activities for young people in the borough to services where they can seek advice that will help them on to a good path in life. 

“If you haven’t already, please go online and let us know what you think. The views of our residents, especially those who this affects the most, our young people, are of the upmost importance to us and their feedback will help us shape the future of youth services in the borough.” 

Hounslow Green Party supports local Youth Services and is opposed to proposed cuts to the Hounslow Youth budget of £650k.

Mariette Labelle, the Hounslow Green Party membership secretary, has written to the Council on behalf of Hounslow Green party, requested prioritisation of four key services, and asking Hounslow Council to support Sian Berry’s City Hall budget amendment to fund these services centrally. 

Mariette said “I was shocked to find out about these proposed cuts which will hit some of our young people, and their parents, hard.  I know that the Council have budgetary pressures, but this is not the right way to save money.  Hounslow Green Party will fight these cuts, and other interested parties should contact the council with their concerns before the consultation closes on 6th March, 2017.  It is important to communicate support for Sian’s amendment to Sadiq Khan. Hounslow Council and others can show support at http://www.sianberry.london/news/policing/201-01-28-mayor-budget-youth-services/”

To have your say, visit goo.gl/Fv7IKW

February 28, 2017