Closure fears ‘unfounded’ (From Keighley News)

Closure fears ‘unfounded’

2:35pm Thursday 1st May 2008

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Concerns have been raised over the future of Silsden Youth Group.

Bradford Council's youth service will soon review its annual budget and some Silsden town councillors fear the popular 30-strong group could lose out.

But Graham Walker, senior manager of Bradford Council's youth service, told the Keighley News there were no plans to close the youth group.

Councillor Lawrence Walton raised the concern at the latest Silsden Town Council meeting. He said: "The group's money has gone down so it is going to struggle, it might not open at all."

Councillor Pat Bottomley - who oversees the meetings of the Youth Council - said it was also a worry to the young councillors. She said extra effort should be concentrated on keeping the youth centre in Elliott Street at Silsden more open to young people following its refurbishment.

Mr Walker maintained that the service was working with the police, the town council, schools and other community agencies to support young people in the town.

He said: "We are planning how and where the overall youth service budget is to be allocated throughout the Bradford district for the next financial year. The youth service is in fact extending the partnership work we are doing in Keighley, and right across the Bradford district.

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