Conservatives Reject More Efficient Use of Youth Service Buildings

2.53.51pm GMT Thu 27th Jan 2005

Young People Need Places to Meet

At a recent County Council meeting, the Conservative majority on the County opposed the proposal by the Liberal Democrats that Surrey County Council youth centres should be more fully used to provide safe places for young people to meet.

Councillor Marie King-Hele said "Surrey young people need safe and interesting places to meet. Many youth centres are closed on Friday and Saturday nights and young people are forced to hang around on the streets. These closed youth centres could be used by them to meet and talk and indeed to plan various activities and hobbies."

Mrs King-Hele added "The reason that many Conservative councillors gave for opposing the proposal was that the buildings are not "cool". I am very disappointed that at a time when the Council's finances are so tight the Conservative majority feels this is a valid reason for wasting resources and not meeting the needs of Surrey's young people."