70 jobs under review in shake-up youth services across North Lincolnshire
SEVENTY community workers' jobs are currently under review in a shake-up of youth services in North Lincolnshire.
The announcement comes as part of plans to invest in overnight outdoor residential activities for youngsters.
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A game of pool being enjoyed in a local youth club
In order to provide the new opportunities, 70 jobs are to be reviewed, with 20 new posts being created – leaving 50 people to find a suitable role within the youth service or elsewhere in the council.
This will take place over a couple of months, although council bosses say they will do everything they can to ensure the changes do not result in job losses.
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The move comes as part of a scheme to increase the number of activities available to young people.
The proposals have been drawn up following a survey of 2,220 youngsters.
It found the majority wanted sports and creative activities and more things to do at weekends and in the holidays.
The new arrangements will mean more provisions at community facilities in more communities.
And officials say that more youngsters will be able to take part in cheaper activities.
The number of activity sessions for youths in North Lincolnshire will more than double under the new proposals from the current 809 sessions to 1,653.
Access to the facilities to be rolled out will increase almost three-fold from the current capacity of 268 to a projected 600 spaces.
But while provision is being increased, the overall budget remains at £600,000.
Rob Waltham, cabinet member for young people in North Lincolnshire, said: "Our pledge to young people is that there will be a space for them in their communities, weekend activities and activities during the holidays.
"The provision will be more tailored to what they want to do.
"There will be information available to them on local provision using media they are familiar with."
The council says there will be regular opportunities for young people to give feedback on their experience of local provision and bosses say young people will be involved in decisions.
Concerns had been raised over the threat of staff redundancies at the latest meeting of Crowle and Ealand Town Council.
Councillor Trevor Barker said a meeting had been held with staff at Crowle Youth Centre where they had been told they would be receiving redundancy notices.
Mr Barker said: "I presume staff would be sent to different places.
"How that's going to affect three nights a week at Crowle, I'm not sure."
Mr Waltham said: "Everybody is put on notice and they can apply for other jobs in the council so it does not mean they will be made redundant.
"We only make people redundant as a last resort."
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