RELATED STORY: Council cuts jobs
RELATED STORY: A bridge too far?
COUNCIL has made a last-minute decision to reverse its stance on its youth services program.
In a special meeting held on Tuesday to address submissions to the draft budget, councillors debated the efficiency and purpose of its youth services program.
The debate followed submissions to the draft budget that were accompanied by a petition with 336 signatures asking council to fund the youth officer position to the tune of about $41,000.
The decision comes after the YMCA-funded role was axed, causing controversy in the community, with worries services, grants and programs could be lost as a result.
By funding the YMCA role, councillors are keeping the program with two staff members instead of one.
The Guardian understand the additional funds will reduce council’s surplus but have no effect on rates.
“The age of entitlement is over. Council cannot be the champion for youth. The young people themselves need to be their own champions…”
Councillor Greg Cruickshank proposed the amendment in yesterday’s meeting, saying that by halving the human resources allocated to youth services they could see “profound and detrimental effects on the youth of the community”.
“The decision was made without a proper review through the youth strategy or understanding council’s role in the youth arena,” Cr Cruickshank said.
Councillors Jessie Kiley and Michael Adamson made an about-turn on their original views and supported Cr Cruickshank’s amendment.
However, both emphasised a need for efficiency within the department.
Councillor Kiley stressed the need for young people to take their futures into their own hands.
“The age of entitlement is over,” Cr Kiley said.
“Council cannot be the champion for youth… the young people themselves need to be their own champions.”
For the full story, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (July 23).
