Following February’s announcement that huge cuts of 46% are to be made to Bath and

North East Somerset Council’s youth service, Councillors in Peasedown St John have been working hard to find an alternative youth provider for the village.

Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) said: “We would like to thank all of the Peasedown residents who have been in touch with us over the last few months to raise their concerns about the Council’s cuts to youth services.

At the recent B&NES Council meeting, we voted against plans to cut the youth budget by a massive 46%.

“For almost forty years, Peasedown St John Youth Centre has played a central role in our community – providing support, help and advice to anyone who has needed it. It was purpose-built for the youth of our village, and we believe that is the way it should remain.

“A cut of 46% though does mean that unless an alternative provider can be found, the centre faces closure within the next twelve months.”

Since February, Cllr Walker and her colleague, Cllr Sarah Bevan, have been in discussions with two local organisations and the leadership of the Council. As a result, two positive developments have been made.

Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John) added: “After lengthy conversations with B&NES Council’s Leader and Cabinet Members, Cllr Walker and I are pleased to confirm that we have arranged for any new provider of youth provision at Peasedown Youth Centre, once the Council withdraws its services, to be offered a peppercorn rent arrangement for their first year in the building.”

In legal terms, ‘Peppercorn’ is a metaphor for a very small payment in exchange for services, goods or land hire. It is an arrangement that local authorities can enter into as a gesture of goodwill.

The Councillors have also met with two Peasedown St John-based organisations who have expressed an interest in running the building and providing youth services.

Sarah added: “At present, for legal reasons, we are not able to divulge details of either organisation, but Cllr Walker and I have invited them both, whether separately or together, to submit a business plan to ourselves and the Leader of the Council for consideration.”