A CAMPAIGN has been launched to stop Dorset County Council from withdrawing its funding for youth centres by a newly-elected councillor.

Cllr Clare Sutton, who won the Rodwell by-election in a landmark win for the Green Party, has now launched her first campaign since winning the election, and will protest at the planned cuts to youth centre provision in the county after slamming the proposals as “frightening”.

As reported in the Echo, Dorset County Council is set to go out to consultation on plans to withdraw its funding for youth centres.

The authority confirmed that it is reviewing the way in which it delivers youth services in the county as it seeks to reduce its budget from £2.2million to £1.2 million.

It has put forward a proposal that would see funding for youth centres withdrawn and the focus of youth work in the county shifted so youth workers work more closely with schools and deliver targeted group work for those in need.

Cllr Sutton said: "The council’s own officers warn that every one of our youth centres is now at risk of closure.

“Under the plans youth clubs in Weymouth, in Dorchester and in Bridport could all be closed by next summer.

"When I got elected I promised that protecting Dorset's Youth Services would be one of my highest priorities. I will do everything I can to ensure that these cuts do not go ahead.

“The scale of them is frightening.”

Cllr Sutton won the election after the seat was vacated by Labour's Dan Brember leaving the position earlier in the year, and she gained 663 votes to win the election, beating second place Conservative candidate Richard Nickinson.

Dorset County Council’s cabinet will vote on the proposals in January, and Cllr Sutton urged the council reject the plans.

She added: "The council are looking at proposals to keep them open with community support, and I welcome anything that might keep them going.

“But isn't this what we all pay council tax for, so our council can provide us with a service, not local charity.

"I have a youth centre in my own ward in Rodwell that does amazing work with young people. We need places like this for the common good."

Meanwhile, Bridport Town Council will head a trust to manage the Bridport and Beaminster youth centres - places of 'sanctuary’ for young people.

Leader of Bridport Town Council Cllr Sarah Williams said: “The youth centre is so important to Bridport where people feel they have somewhere to go. I feel we can look at at our finances and see what we can throw into the mix to help this get started.”

Initial discussions have started to set up a trust, with members indicating they will look at a model by Lyme Regis Development Trust.

Town clerk Bob Gillis also said the town council would look to approach Dorset County Council about the possibility of transitional funds to support setting up a trust, if the funding is cut.

Cllr Kelvin Clayton said: “A lot of young people need a place of sanctuary and somewhere to go out of school hours. I think it’s very important that we do everything that we can to help save the youth centre.”

Cllr Dave Rickard said the county council’s proposals were 'unbelievably naive'.

“Secondary schools are so busy trying to meet targets and get exams under their belts. Are they going to change that culture and let social workers go in?"