Yesterday the Gazette asked Wiltshire Council to clarify for our readers which youth clubs had been closed, how many remain open and what is the timescale for the result of the asset review of buildings.

But after hours of deliberation the Gazette was told these fundamental questions could not be answered. We were told this was because ‘stakeholders’ had not been informed yet.

Instead we were sent a statement, written by the press office but attributed to Coun Toby Sturgis, portfolio holder for property, which read: “We are writing to all building users to advise on the future of the buildings where youth work delivery took place under the old model.

"Under our new model we will be working with local groups, providers and young people through the newly established Local Youth Network to ensure as many young people as possible have access to activities they want to do.

“We will be supporting the area boards both through the new community youth officer positions and with devolved funding to help put these in place.”

  • Background to the cuts

An announcement that major changes were to take place to youth services in Wiltshire came as a shock to staff in January.

They were told 144 youth workers faced redundancy as Wiltshire Council wanted to save £500,000 and all 24 youth clubs were likely to close.

But after a massive outcry from young people the council decided it could reduce the necessary saving to £250,000 but this would still mean just 25 youth workers would survive.

After a ten-week consultation on four proposals the council voted for a community-led option and by the end of July most youth clubs in the county closed and youth workers left.

Now the council is roling out its new model for youth activities and area boards will make it work. Each board will have its own community youth officer – but activities will have to be organised and run by volunteers.