Thanks to timely Lib Dem action at least some of the activities for young people will go ahead this summer reports cllr Ian Shires.
You will recall that the Ready Steady Summer programme was put at risk because Walsall Borough Stretegic Partnership failed to provide funding this year.
Walsall’s Tory controlled council lurched into action once they realised this, providing £30,000 alledged to have come from an underspend in the youth budget. The monies were to be distributed through the boroughs 9 Local Neighbourhood Partnerships.
Problem was that to get at this money would be providers had to complete a detailed application form and return it by 14th July. Willenhall LNP for one was not due to meet till 16th July, 2 clear days after the deadline!
Following the revelations by Lib Dem cllr Ian Shires into this fiasco, officers have now set up a much simplified proceedure which will allow LNPs to put forward ideas in good time for the activities to go ahead.
“It’s a pity the Tories left it to the 11th hour to reveal the shortfall in cash for this worthwhile programme. If they had acted sooner it might have been possible to attract funding from other sources to enable a full programme of activities to be provided.”
Ian is demanding an enquiry into the whole fiasco.
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