Support but no cash for Youth Zone

By Julian Whittle

Last updated 11:44, Thursday, 31 July 2008

CARLISLE City Council says it is backing plans for a £4.2m Youth Zone but will not put in any cash.

The board of the Richard Rose Central Academy school is behind the proposal to create a youth club modelled on the hugely-successful Bolton Lads’ and Girls’ Club.

It is to be built next to the new school in Lismore Place and offer activities for youngsters every evening and during the day at weekends and in school holidays.

A bid for lottery money to set it up is going forward. But the board still needs money to cover running costs.

The city council’s executive this week turned down a request to contribute, for the time being at least.

Community services director Mike Battersby said: “This offers a very exciting opportunity for Carlisle but at this stage there’s quite a lot of detail to develop.

“Any ongoing [financial] support would be dependent on the outcome of our review of community support and how our corporate priorities interface with the operation of the Youth Zone.”

Council leader Mike Mitchelson said the scheme could bring “huge benefits”.

He has instructed chief executive Maggie Mooney to send a letter supporting the lottery funding bid.

But the council will not commit its own cash.

The Youth Zone’s running costs are put at £750,000 a year. Of that, £205,000 will be met by grants and fundraising, £205,000 from sponsors Brian Scowcroft and Andrew Tinkler, and £40,000 from fees charged to youngsters.

The Richard Rose Academy Federation is chipping in a further £150,000.

And Cumbria County Council has pledged £75,000, leaving a shortfall of £75,000. The sponsors hope to raise this from other potential backers such as Connexions Cumbria, Cumbria Primary Care Trust, Carlisle College and the University of Cumbria.

There will be satellite youth clubs in Harraby, Currock, Morton, Longtown and possibly other areas.