Liberal Democrats demand local decision-making in youth provision

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jul 2005

At the meeting of Surrey County Council today, the Liberal Democrats put forward proposals to give Surrey's Local Committees control of youth services in their areas. This would have committed the Council to act on reports back from Local Committees that there should be joint working with Boroughs and Districts for youth provision.

Diana Smith (Knaphill), the proposer of the motion said: "I am disappointed that the Conservatives refused the proposals, but as usual the Liberal Democrats are in advance in recognising the way forward. Last week the Government published a Green paper on Youth, and if even half the ideas in it are ever realised, there'll be a flood of changes pushing us in the

direction of more local decision making in youth provision."

Diana continued: "I'm concerned that if we are not careful we'll end up with a series of obscure unelected partnership committees or Trusts being given the money and taking the important decisions about providing the services that young people need. This was a lost chance for Surrey County Council to involve local people in the youth service while keeping it well

run under democratic control."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The motion proposed by County Councillor Diana Smith at the County Council meeting today:

"That the Council takes note of the success of Local Committees with Surrey residents and, in response to the review of governance of such committees agrees:

a) to delegate the decision-making and budget for the Youth Service to Local Committees, and accordingly,

b) that appropriate officer support be provided to Local Committees."