Tuesday 2 December 2008
Nelson Youth Centre wins "myplace" funding

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Bradley ward councillor, said: "This is fantastic news for residents in Nelson, but more so for the people of Bradley ward.

“It has been a long time coming but I would like to thank the county council for doing the leg work on this.”

More than 450 young people, aged 11 to 25, are expected to benefit from the new facility, which will feature a multi-use games area, internet cafe and computer room,.

Basic literacy and numeracy skills courses, careers, training and employment information are among the first services to be offered from the hub.

Residential courses are planned and classes for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme are set to be based there.

Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, was also delighted to learn of the success of Nelson’s Leeds Road Youth Centre bid for government funding.

The MP said "£1.3 million has been awarded for a new youth and community centre on the Leeds Road site. This is excellent news and a great achievement for all involved. The money comes from the "myplace" pot, worth over £200 million, to provide safe places for all young people to go to and take part in a wide range of activities.

“You can do a lot with this huge sum of money. I’m sure young people in the area will be over the moon.”

This first wave of funding will be awarded to 21 successful bidders across the country and will help drive forward Labour’s commitment to making this the best country in the world for young people to grow up in. This money will help provide exciting safe places for all young people to go to and give them the opportunity to take part in a wide range of positive activities such as sport, dance and music

The announcement is part of Labour’s ‘myplace’ programme, a scheme which is transforming the provision of youth facilities across the country. Labour is ensuring that young people are actively involved in developing youth facilities in their neighbourhoods to ensure that the projects reflect what young people want and need.

Ed Balls and Jack Straw visited the Lazer Centre in Leeds, which represents the type of facilities myplace hopes to inspire across the country.

Speaking from the Lazer Centre, Ed Balls, Children and Young People’s Secretary, said:

“The vast majority of young people are good citizens, play by the rules and just want better things to do and places to go after school and at the weekend rather than hanging around in the street or in the local park. They enjoy getting involved in exciting projects such as myplace, so I hope that this scheme will help change the way communities view our young people.

“myplace will transform positive activities for young people who will be able to decide what kind of facilities they want, and when they want them, such as on Friday and Saturday nights.

“In the Children’s Plan we said we want all young people to have the best opportunities whatever their circumstances and myplace will give young people across the country a chance to enjoy new experiences, learn new skills and become a valued member of their own community.”

Cllr Asjad Mahmood, Pendle Labour Party Youth Officer, says:

"Many thanks to everybody who responded to our survey of 18-year-olds in Pendle. The results are fascinating and well worth a look."

About You

Question 1: Would you say you were:

(a) Very interested in politics (28%)

(b) Quite interested in politics (48%)

(c) Not interested in politics (24%)

"Three quarters of you showed a positive interest in politics, which we find very reassuring for the future. So much for critics of the 'couldn't-care-less younger generation' "

Question 2: Which political party do you most closely identify with?

(a) Labour 15%

(b) Conservative 9%

(c) Liberal Democrats 9%

(d) Other 14%

(e) Don’t know 53%

(f) Would not vote 0%

"A lot of doubt about, which I suppose isn't surprising, but nice to see that nearly half of you have a political direction. Even nicer to see that Labour is in the majority!"

The Big Issues

Question 3: Put the following in the order of importance they have for you, numbering from 1 (most important) to 10 (least):

The number of responses showed your priorities were:

1 Education

2 Health

3 Tax

4 Employment

5 Environment

6 Crime

7 Defence / War

8 Migration

9 Transport

10 Overseas Aid

"It's good to see that crime and migration aren't the big worries for most of you that some parties make out. We'll be doing this survey again - it will be interesting to see if Education is still at the top after the new schools and the College extension are built."

Pendle people

Question 4: What do you think are the most important local issues for young people in Pendle?

Some of your quotes:

“Happiness”

“In rural areas I believe transport is an important issue”

“..Tax is very important and also health and education”

“... places to go and environment”

“Transport, motivation, integration”

“Jobs”

“Things to do outside school hours”

“NHS dentist provision especially whilst in education”

“Cheaper transport”

“Safe streets…and more leisure activities e.g. more shops, youth centre…”

“Sexual health education”

“Affordable housing”

“…being treated equally... and retaining A&E service at Burnley General…”

“Improving social issues in the community and the development of derelict areas”

“Underage-drugs and alcohol-education”

“…sports facilities”

"An amazingly diverse range of responsible comments. I will pass these on to our Councillors for action."