Bersted youth centre could close due to funding cut

The members of Bersted Parish Council were warned on Tuesday the building could stand empty if another operator failed to take over the service.

Parish and county councillor Simon McDougall revealed the news. “The youth centre will close,” he said. “There will only be 14 left in the county.

“The county council had to take £2m out of its youth service budget in the last financial year.

“The plan is to take another £2m out in the next three years. There will only be a skeleton service left.

“The hope is that they will be looking to councils like us, or community groups, to take over the running of that building.

“But, unless someone else takes over, it will shut down.

“Attendance at the centre is not too high. That could be a considerable factor why it is being taken away.”

The intention is to target youth services on those young people not in college, jobs or training.

The centre is based in a former school on North Bersted Street. It is open Tuesday and Friday evenings.

Parish councillor Jonathan Spencer said the centre’s current managers were keen to carry on when the county council pulled out.