Campaign renewed to save youth wing
CAMPAIGNERS have renewed their efforts to save Oriel Youth Wing after the county council proposed to withdraw its funding.
The campaign is being spearheaded by the young people who use and volunteer at the centre and who argue that closure would leave eastern parts of Crawley bereft of youth services.
The group has relaunched its Facebook site, called Oriel Youth WIng - we can stop closure again! - and is calling on supporters to make their voices heard with the decision-makers at County Hall.
Describing West Sussex County Council’s plans to close the wing and reduce the number of youth centres across the county from 40 to 11, campaigner Lisa Vitler said: “Oriel is a very well run established youth club with very experienced leaders who are very compassionate about young people.
“It would be a great loss if West Sussex County Council decides to go ahead and close this much needed youth club.”
Callum Vitler, 18, volunteer and campaigner for Oriel Youth Wing, said: “We say that with the bus cuts, it’s going to be very difficult for people on this side of town to access youth services.
“Geographically Oriel is the only youth centre on this side of the tunnel. If it does go parents and children will struggle to get there.”
In October 2011 Crawley MP Henry Smith announced he had received assurances there would be no closures in Crawley, adding: “I congratulate the Conservative administration at County Hall for their sound financial management and commitment to services in challenging economic times.”
But in November it emerged that the council was proposing to withdraw resources from Oriel Youth Wing in Maidenbower and Dormans in Gossops Green.
Cllr Peter Evans, cabinet member for children and families, told the Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee (November 4 2011) that community and volunteer groups would need to step in where the council cut funding.
He said: “It is down to local communities who value their services to do this - we need their support.”
When asked about the contradiction, Mr Smith said he had been going on the information he had at the time.
Centres in Bewbush, Langley Green and Thomas Bennett look to have escaped the proposed cuts.
To join the Facebook group go to tinyurl.com/6wxy4x9.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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