WELLINGTON'S MP, Jeremy Browne, has asked the deputy leader of Somerset County, John Osman to think again over the possible sell-off of Wellington Youth Centre.

As exclusively reported on the front page of last week's WWN, the future of the centre appears to be in doubt after it was included on a list of council assets for possible disposal.

Debt-ridden Somerset County Council is proposing to sell off more than a third of its offices across the county in a bid to get money into its coffers after levels of council debt hit £400million this year.

Now, Mr Browne has written to Mr Osman, who is responsible for youth services in Somerset, to ask if he will visit the Youth Centre to discuss the wider implications of the move with staff.

Mr Browne, who planted a commemorative tree at the centre to mark its 40th anniversary last autumn, said: "I have visited Wellington Youth Centre before and was impressed with the staff's commitment to improving educational and social opportunities for young people in the town.

"It is a testament to its success that it enjoys the highest attendance figures of any youth centre in Somerset.

"In the current financial environment, I understand the county council needs to find ways to ease costs.

"Reducing the number of buildings it uses from 42 to 5 or 10, as is proposed, would make a significant impact.

"However, Wellington Youth Centre is a multi-purpose building which deliberately brings youth workers under the same roof as the young people they are trying to help.

"By proposing to remove these workers away to County Hall in Taunton, the council risks severing those close community ties and undermining efforts to improve educational outcomes and reduce crime in Wellington.

"I have written to Councillor Osman to ask if he will visit the Youth Centre to discuss the implications of the plans with local councillors and youth workers."

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