Jobs to be axed as Calderdale Council prepares to overhaul its youth services

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet approved implementation of the restructure following consultation with staff and trade unions, with consulation with staff to begin this month.

Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) said the changes would both overhaul the service and would make some nessessary budget savings.

Coun Ashley Evans (Lib Dem, Warley) expressed concern that the overhaul was a money saving exercise which would result in greater costs down the line if provision was weakened, but Coun Wilkinson said this was not the case.

Youth services had been delivered in a way that was a bit old fashioned and needed a new vision, he said.

The changes were based on recommendatons made by the council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board in an in-depth report which concluded the service had lost its way, said Coun Wlkinson.

“This report takes all those recommendations on board, makes proposals in line with those and makes the budget savings required.

“Calderdale hasn’t moved with the times until now and this is an opportunity to shape the service so it better meets the needs of young people in the 21st century,” he said.

Recommendations include a focus on issues such as mental health, third or voluntary sector providing some aspects of the service on a council-commissioned basis, and the council concentrating its own resources on those most in need.

Using Orangebox in Halifax, now a state of the art building, was important.

Government funding was being used to provide more tablets and laptops – around 600 – so young people could access some sessions remotely, said Coun Wilkinson.

The scutiny board had also recommended strong local provision of services and councillors would form part of the process as to how this was best done as they knew their areas the best, he said.

Coun James Baker (Lib Dem, Warley) read out concerns raised by Coun Evans, who was unable to join the session due to technical difficulties.

Coun Evans was concerned the recommendations seemed to be centred around saving money rather than developimg and improving the service.

“Is there a danger that cuts in this area could lead to more, and more expensive, problems in other areas – not least young people’s mental health?” he said.

He asked Cabinet to state clearly that the level and quality of service would not decline and would improve, which was what the scrutiny panel intended.

Coun Wilkinson said each scrutiny board recommendation had been responded to.

“I see it as an opportunity to shape the service so it meets the needs of young people in the 21st century,” he said.