The future of a successful youth group has been safeguarded, thanks to a lifeline from Basildon Council.
Councillors have agreed to a 25-year lease on the Northlands Park Youth Facility Group in Felmores, Basildon, paving the way for it to apply for a lottery grant to help it expand and survive.
The council also agreed to pay the group's rental costs for the next seven years. With a lottery grant the youth group hopes to offer more activities at its Northlands Park centre and also bring its work into other parts of the district.
Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "So many good things happen to the young people there. The young people of Basildon have got the talent, and in many cases it is harnessed, but their achievements are not shouted about."
Labour leader Paul Kirkman added: "This development must be supported as far as we can. The level of mindless vandalism around the centre is an indicator that we need to do a lot of work there. To persevere and offer an alternative lifestyle will hopefully be the success of the programme."
The lease change was unanimously agreed at last night's executive board meeting.
Published Friday, May 30, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article