CONTROVERSIAL proposals to save £500,000 by reducing staff in Bournemouth’s youth service have been approved by cabinet members.

The council intends to ‘transform and modernise’ the Integrated Youth Service by asking new community trusts and organisations to provide services instead.

Cabinet members say this will allow them to continue to invest in youth centre buildings and will see communities get support appropriate to them.

But it will also mean job losses for managers, youth workers and youth advisers, which has sparked concern from opposition councillors.

Independent Cllr Ron Whittaker said: “This paper fills me with horror. There’s too many uncertainties here. What happens if the voluntary sector doesn’t take on the proposed responsibilities? There’s no guarantee here.

“Nothing in this paper gives me any confidence whatsoever. Once you lose these key staff, they cannot be replaced.”

And Labour Cllr Beryl Baxter said: “£500,000 is a big chunk out of the welfare service’s budget.

“I don’t want these cuts to go ahead, not at the expense of losing our most experienced and senior youth people.”

Cllr Nicola Greene, cabinet member for children’s services, said the council had held discussions with the community and voluntary sector in coming up with these proposals and they were keen to take a wider role.

She said resources would be targeted where most needed.

Fellow cabinet member Cllr Blair Crawford said: “It’s a harsh reality that many councils have actually completely decimated their youth services, this council hasn’t. We can’t be like ostriches and put our heads in the sand and ignore our budgetary issues.

“We’ve got to stabilise and look after the most vulnerable.

“We need to passionately support the voluntary sector to bring to the table the best of what we’ve got and the best of what they’ve got.”