After the Ludlow Youth Centre was put out of use at the end of April by an out of control HGV, some services from the flourishing Family Hub were moved to Helena Lane and elsewhere. This was accepted as a temporary move. However, it has become clear that Shropshire Council officers are viewing the move as permanent. That solves a problem for the council because Helena Lane is massively underused. That’s down to an expensive Private Finance Initiative (PFI) set up by the old Shropshire County Council. But Helena Lane is not suitable for most activities.
There have been suggestions that officers want to move the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) from Old Street to the youth centre allowing the council to sell Old Street for housing. The youth centre would be a poor replacement for the PRU, which is currently in an old school.
After the council’s statement was put out without any reference to local councillors or cabinet, council leader Heather Kidd has insisted that the plans are considered by cabinet. We are now a councillor led council. Under the previous administration, officers too often called the shots. That era has ended. Officers need to ensure that the youth centre is made fit for use as soon as possible.
From Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North. Beverley Waite, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow East, and Viv Parry, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow South.
“We were surprised and disappointed that Shropshire Council announced last week that it was continuing with its plan to move all services, including youth services, out of Ludlow Youth Centre.
“Our youth centre was put out of action when it was badly damaged by an out of control truck in the early hours of 28 April. At that point it the centre was a thriving family hub that included a wide range of services, including early help for families and their children, youth clubs, supporting long term unemployed back into work, social prescribing and breastfeeding support. Over the last winter it was a welcoming warm place and also hosted a Warhammer group.
“After the accident, some services at the centre were suspended, some moved to Helena Lane and others were temporarily housed in other locations. Helena Lane is not suitable for the wide range of activities that were being held and were planned to be held at the youth centre. Helena Lane operates under a private finance initiative (PFI) contract. That means every change and extension of activities, no matter how small has to be negotiated and paid for. A single room for a year costs £10,000. It is not available at night or at weekends.
“Ludlow Youth Centre is run by LCAP (Ludlow Community and Area Partnership) and Shropshire Council. It is a flexible venue where activities can be changed, expanded and, if necessary, reduced at short notice.
“Shropshire Council leader Heather Kidd has committed to discussing with local councillors on the future of the youth centre. We welcome that.
“Rather than focus activities at Helena Lane, we need to get Ludlow Youth Centre back into action in the shortest time possible. It is the best place for the community support we need.”
Since the HGV incident, social activities for youngsters with Autism in particular have been put on hold as there’s no where else suitable to hold them. Helena Lane in particular is inaccessible for many who used the youth centre for eg ‘youth activities….these can’t be held during the day as the young people would mostly be in school unless eg, they haven’t managed to get a suitable school place. Car parking facilities are fantastic for the youth centre. Many of the activities were also run by volunteers. The biggest need for youth activities is space and not a small amount of space such as would be available at Helena Lane. Children and Youn people run about and make noise. They don’t sit quietly sipping a cup of tea. Young people need their youth centre back in a good state of repair urgently.
SInce I think we can agree that the building did not throw itself into the path of the lorry (and neither did others properties also damaged), this is surely an insurance matter for the vehicle operator/owner.
So why do I read in the LUdlow Advertiser yesterday (5th Aug):?
“South Shropshire MP, Stuart Anderson has written to the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, Stephanie Peacock, making a plea for the youth centre to receive part of a major Government youth investment package.”
This would be a waste of the YIP funds….
You take the words out of my mouth. It is down to insurance to get the building repaired. But Stuart Anderson wants his moment in the media.