The future of youth services in Hounslow is bleak as the council looks to make £650,000 in cuts by closing down its youth centres.

Following a year-on-year reduction in central government funding ,Hounslow council says it has been forced to lower its budget in youth services to £212,000.

As part of its review of services for young people in the borough it has launched a consultation to hear from residents including youngsters and carers on the proposed changes.

The council has proposed the money is used towards services for people with mental wellbeing and emotional needs, those at risk of antisocial behaviour and substance misuse and the borough’s young carers.

As a result, five main youth services will remain including young carers project, Hounslow youth counselling; detached youth workers; Duke of Edinburgh scheme and the Good Shepherd project for those living in Hounslow barracks.

However this means youth centres including Hounslow Youth Centre, Hogarth Youth Centre in Chiswick and Hanworth Youth Centre will be shut down.

David Stacey, chairman of Hounslow Action for Youth (HAY), at The Hanworth Centre, said: “Having attended the recent Youth Service Review Consultation event at the Hanworth Centre, I can only describe it as a very disappointing exercise to have to go through.

"It is clear that the council is under obvious financial pressures along with other public sector budgets.

"HAY are keen to work in partnership with Hounslow, we are respectful of the process and the importance of being able to come up with something that addresses local need and incorporates user feedback.

"We want to be assured that the knock on effects of the outcome of the consultation on the local population, their wellbeing and other budgets like Health, Youth Offending Service and Police are being considered.

"Whatever changes are implemented must be sustainable and not shunt a future need elsewhere."

Circus fun day at Southville community centre, Southville Road in June 2016

He added: "If the Hanworth Centre were to close, the children, young people, their families and the wider community would not have this affordable, safe, community building to access, forcing them onto the streets where they would be more vulnerable than ever.”

Meanwhile, proposed projects to be lost include Alluminae Dance Unit, Hounslow PHAB which supports young people with disabilities and volunteering opprotunities.

It will also no longer provide council funded youth services at The Hub and Southville Youth Centre, however these will continue to operate as community centres.

The council claims as a majority of youth services are provided by voluntary services it will concentrate on the most vulnerable.

Councillor Richard Foote, cabinet member for communities at Hounslow Council, said:“No decisions have been made and that is why we are carrying out the consultation as it is important we have feedback and the views from our residents, so that we can ensure that those most in need receive our support and also a service that meets their needs.

“The consultation runs until 6 March and the results of this will enable us to shape the future of youth services in the borough.”

The consultation runs until March 6 2017.

Those wanting to have a say should visit Youth Service Consultation .

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