Supporting young people in Lichfield

At the Lichfield District Council meeting on 24 February, an opposition amendment to the council’s budget was passed which included funding for youth centres in our district. 

Cllr Paul Ray, the leader of the Liberal Democrat councillors on Lichfield District Council, has commented.

“The Lib Dems on Lichfield District Council have worked collaboratively with the Labour group to bring forward some important amendments to LDC’s budget for the benefit of our residents. 

I am delighted that those amendments were passed and in particular that there is now included in the council’s budget some initial funding for youth centres in Lichfield and the wider district.

This is something the Lib Dem group specifically proposed and are passionate about.

We are all aware of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lichfield and there was a recent police dispersal order put in place for the city centre. 

We also want to show a commitment to the youngsters in our community. So we want to see a youth centre in Lichfield. There were youth centres in the past in Lichfield but there’s nothing now. This is a serious issue and we do need to do more to support the youngsters in our area.

I have been involved in various discussions over recent months about a youth centre for Lichfield and the intention behind this budget is that it is initial funding to pay for surveys, drawings etc so that once premises are found, the youth centre project can be progressed. I appreciate that this project would need other and more significant funding but this initial funding should mean that we can get this project moving. 

The Lichfield Lib Dems are delighted that this budget was approved as it shows a real commitment to the youngsters in our community.”

Paul Ray is Chadsmead ward councillor (Lib Dem) and Lib Dem leader on Lichfield District Council