Cabinet Members Vote Against Proposals To Reduce Youth Service Provision In The North Of Merthyr Tydfil

In February 2016 Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council asked Youth Service users and members of the general public what they thought of proposals to cease the Council’s statutory Youth Service provision in the North Cluster of Merthyr Tydfil (Gurnos, Galon Uchaf, Dowlais and Penydarren). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

And at a meeting on Wednesday 15th June, Members of Merthyr Tydfil CBC’s Cabinet took on board comments received during the 13 week consultation and voted against the proposal. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Harvey Jones, Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Learning, said: “As an Authority we recognise the importance of engaging and consulting with our residents so they form part of the decision making process. The outcome of the community consultation clearly demonstrated that 78% of the public did not agree with the proposal. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The young people of our community were particularly passionate and professional in voicing their opinions and should be proud of how they conducted themselves through the process. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would like to thank each and every person who took the time to complete a survey and reassure residents that we listen to what you have to say”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leader of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Councillor Brendan Toomey, added: “In the meeting on 15th June Cabinet carefully considered the issues raised by all stakeholders during the consultation process and agreed to retain the existing youth service provision. I am delighted that, given the concerns raised, we were able to respond positively.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​