Support for GBC Protest against Youth Service Cuts

12.00.00am GMT Wed 22nd Mar 2006

Stoughton borough councillor Pauline Searle has welcomed the decision of Guildford Borough Council's Executive to support local protests against the County Council's proposal to close down the Youth Centres at Stoughton and Bellfields.

Councillor Searle is the Chair of the Management Committee of Stoughton Youth and Community Centre and also Liberal Democrat county councillor for the Bellfields area. Speaking after the Executive meeting, Cllr Searle said "The closure of the Stoughton and Bellfields Youth Centres would be a disaster not only for the young people themselves, but for the wider community. We value the work of the County's Youth Service and the police in providing activities which help keep young people off the streets and out of trouble. It beggars belief that Surrey County Council could seriously consider closing these youth clubs to save just £30,000. I really hope the County's Executive will listen to local people and to their Conservative colleagues on the borough council when they make the final decision, and save this vital service."