Unite concerned as Devon youth service consultation ends

As Devon County Council’s consultation on its youth service comes to an end, Unite, Britain’s largest trade union, has grave concerns about the whole consultation process. 

It is crystal clear that the staff, youth and public consultation events lacked transparency and resembled nothing more than a ‘par for the course’, question dodging event. 

Unite pointed out that it has real concerns for the future of Devon’s youth along with the profession, youth workers, young people and the wider community that have been ignored and let down very badly by Devon County Council. 

Unite regional industrial officer Mark Richards said: 
“The public consultation events were disappointing, uninformative and frustrating. I attended the event in Exeter, where the panel was unable to answer even the most basic of questions and if an answer was given, it was in no relation to the question asked. For the families and residents of Exeter, the review organisers chose to call only one consultation event for the public to have its say. 

“The meeting was worryingly exclusive as it was held during the day when parents, teachers and young people themselves were at work or school. The event felt more like a business meeting than public consultation. It was focused on the youth centre buildings as assets to be sold and not on what services young people in communities need. 

“This is a professional service with a highly qualified, professional workforce who are dedicated to the future of young people in Devon and making sure they have the life skills to take them forward into adult life.” 

As Devon County Council has gone through the motions on this consultation, young people and the general public have made their feelings known through a series of demonstrations and a petition which has collected over 7,000 signatures. 

ENDS 
http://www.unitetheunion.org/how-we-help/listofregions/southwest/southwestnews/unite-concerned-as-devon-youth-service-consultation-ends/
For further information please contact Mark Richards on 07718 666410. 

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