Following February’s announcement that cuts of 46% are to be made to Bath and North East Somerset Council’s youth service, councillors in Peasedown St John have been working to find an alternative youth provider for the village.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “We’d like to thank all the Peasedown residents who have been in touch with us over the last few months to raise their concerns about the council’s cuts to youth services.
“At the recent B&NES Council meeting, we voted against plans to cut the youth budget by a massive 46%.
“For almost 40 years, Peasedown St John Youth Centre has played a central role in our community – providing support, help and advice to anyone who’s needed it. It was purpose built for the youth of our village, and we believe that’s the way it should remain!
“A cut of 46% though does mean that unless an alternative provider can be found the centre faces closure within the next 12 months.”
Since February, Cllr Walker and her colleague Cllr Sarah Bevan have been in discussions with two local organisations and the leadership of the council. As a result, two positive developments have been made.
Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) added: “After lengthy conversations with B&NES Council’s Leader and Cabinet Members, Cllr Walker and I are pleased to confirm that we’ve arranged for any new provider of youth provision at Peasedown Youth Centre, once the council withdraws its services, to be offered a peppercorn rent arrangement for their first year in the building.”
In legal terms, Peppercorn is a metaphor for a very small payment in exchange for services, goods or land-hire. It’s an arrangement local authorities can enter into as a gesture of goodwill.
The councillors have also met with two Peasedown-based organisations who have expressed an interest in running the building and providing youth services.
Sarah added: “At present, for legal reasons, we’re not able to divulge details of either organisation, but Cllr Walker and I have invited them both, whether separately or together, to submit a business plan to ourselves and the Leader of the Council for consideration.”