Views sought on youth service proposals

Manchester residents are being asked for their views on potential plans for youth services in the city.

The council has to save £109m this year, rising to £170m next - 25% of its whole budget.

All areas of the council must look at making savings, including the city's youth service.

Proposals have now been drawn up to make savings, which are now subject to consultation.

It is proposed that the Council will withdraw from its role as a direct provider of youth services but will work with schools, colleges, the voluntary sector and other agencies to ensure a range of good recreational opportunities and information and advice is available to young people across the city.

It is proposed the Council will retain a small budget to commission very targeted provision for the most vulnerable young people. It is anticipated that the majority of this money will be available to local voluntary organisations who can demonstrate a good track record in improving outcomes for young people who are farthest away from the job market.

It is also proposed that the information, advice and guidance service currently provided to all young people through Connexions will be targeted on the most vulnerable young people in the future.

Mike Livingstone, Director of Children's Services at Manchester City Council said: "Young people represent the future of our city and we remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible services, despite the very challenging circumstances.

"We want to hear from parents, residents and young people themselves to get their views on these proposals. Please take this opportunity to carefully consider the proposals and tell us what you think.

"The Council does need to make significant savings to balance our smaller budget so keeping the level of council provision as it is now is unfortunately not an option. We believe these proposals are the fairest we could draw up in these very difficult times, but this is an open and genuine consultation process and all views and ideas will be considered."

The consultation runs until 31 May 2011. For more details on the proposals, and to participate, visit

www.manchester.gov.uk/youthconsultation

As well as youth services, the Council is proposing changes to its early years provision, including Sure Start. The Council has been engaging with people who access these services at a series of meetings and will be consulting further later this year when more detailed proposals on early years provision are published.