Derbyshire - no place for the young?

I've just come back from a protest march and a County Council consultation meeting in Chesterfield regarding its proposed closure of all its youth centres.

Unlike those who are making these decisions, it’s not our children who caused the recession; however not having a vote has made their services a soft target. With youth unemployment across Europe at an all-time high, tuition fees tripling and the EMA gone it’s no longer good to be young.

Those making these decisions say there’s no choice. If we are “all in this together”  a fairer way would be for those individuals and large businesses who can afford it to give a little more back to the people who generated their wealth in the first place. The truth is there is always a choice; it depends on where your priorities are.

Cutting youth services may save a little money in the short-term but in the longer term it is economically as well as socially, disastrous. If the County Council didn’t know this before the meeting started they certainly should do now. If, as they say, they are listening and haven’t made any decisions yet they had better start working on a different plan.

If you have the time, please complete the on-line survey available here: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/youthservice2012

Many thanks