Youth cash 'disgrace' (From Penarth Times)

Youth cash 'disgrace'

A PENARTH councillor has slammed the Vale Council for failing to end an eight-year wait for a new Penarth youth centre and leaving 40,000 in the kitty unspent - which he says could help rid the town of its anti-social behaviour.

Stanwell ward representative Cllr Mark Wilson said: "It is a disgrace that the youth centre at Stanwell School has not been replaced.

"It appears that, despite a 40,000 allocation, there will be no new youth provision for Penarth this year.

"A sum of 40,000 is inadequate in any case - but the fact is Penarth is crying out for a new facility and the funds needed should be made readily available.

"While I am delighted with the youth Infoshop we have in Stanwell Road - which is mainly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government - it is not a substitute for a dedicated youth centre that can cope with the needs of young people in the town.

"We need a facility that can provide a range of organised activities and games."

"If the council can find more than 200,000 for a bowls pavilion in Cowbridge, then it can find a similar amount for a youth facility in Penarth."

Problems of anti-social behaviour and youth annoyance, particularly in Cogan, Alexandra Park and the Dingle, have led to Penarth police having to clamp down on many occasions in recent years.

Cllr Tony Hampton, Vale cabinet member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "The youth centre on Stanwell School campus closed in 1997 and no building has been available to replace that facility.

"Officers of the council have explored many options to enhance the service to young people and recently tried to acquire the former Church in Wales school building - but to no avail.