Let down by Labour: £5m investment in city youth facility lost

Newly elected Lib Dem councillor Henry Gallagher has attacked Newcastle City Council's new Labour leadership for their decision to cancel a proposed £5m city centre youth facility.

The project, funded by Government investment not local council tax payers, would have created a world-class venue for young people in Newcastle, including arts and music facilities, sport and fitness, health advice, and training and guidance, and featured extensive involvement of young people in the design and operation of the centre at Vine Lane.

The facility was strongly supported by young people and youth organisation partners from the voluntary sector such as Streetwise and Barnardos. However, the new Labouradministration of the city council have decided to cancel the project in their first major decision since taking control in May.

Henry Gallagher said "I share the concerns of many young people in East Gosforth and across Newcastle that Labour have made a very bad mistake. With their first decision, Labour have shown that they're not interested in the aspirations of young people and don't want millions of pounds of investment in Newcastle."

"Young people when consulted by the city council have consistently said they want a safe and accessible venue for young people to meet and enjoy themselves in the city centre, and this scheme would have created a really exciting and impressive facility operated in conjunction with outreach activities in communities across Newcastle."

"It is regrettable that the Labour-run city council have decided that they're not interested. Already they are demonstrating that they are badly out touch with the needs of children and young people in Newcastle. Your local Lib Dem councillors intend to fight for a better deal for young people in our area."

Sign our online petition: http://newcastle-libdems.org.uk/en/petition/support-young-people-oppose-the-my-place-abandonment