Lib Dems Slam Plans to Cut Playschemes

Lib Dems have slammed plans suggesting more borough playschemes should be closed ignoring the recommendations of the boroughs Community and Culture Policy Review and Development Committee.

Following a request from the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture the committee conducted a review into the provision of summer playschemes by the Borough Council. The results of the review sought to maintain the current schemes as a means of tackling anti-social behaviour and community plan commitments whilst pursuing alternative means of funding and increasing advertising. However key areas of the committees recommendations now appear to have been ignored as the Executive proposes reducing funding to the schemes by almost a half. Lib Dems oppose the cutting of the playschemes.

Speaking on the issue Lib Dem Community and Culture Spokesperson, Dave Hodgson said:

" The boroughs playschemes provide a vital service to many families in the summer months. Not only do they allow our young people to gain skills and enjoy themselves they are also recognised as one of the top methods of tackling anti-social behaviour. If we are serious about doing our best for young people and committed to tackling anti-social behaviour then we certainly shouldn't be cutting the number of playschemes we organise. Introducing fees will mean that only those young people whose families can afford them will be able to attend. This will exclude many less well off families. That can't be right.

We conducted a review looking at the provision of playschemes by the council and clear recommendations were put forward supporting the continuation of the schemes for a number of reasons, including tackling anti-social behaviour and commitments to the community plan. Now we learn that the work carried out and supported by the majority of the Committee is just going to be ignored. It just looks like we've been dropped because we didn't come to the conclusions others had already decided upon.

We should be encouraging more young people to get involved, instead we are turning our backs on them. Last summer there were over 13,000 attendances at borough run playschemes. Where are we expecting young people to go if their scheme is scrapped?"

ENDS