Lib Dems Propose More Activities for Youngsters

10.07.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Sep 2007

More cash for children's sports and youth clubs was proposed by the Liberal Democrats at Milton Keynes Council this week. The Deputy Leader of the Council, Liberal Democrat councillor Euan Henderson, announced more money for sporting opportunities for young people and more grants to parish and town councils to set up youth clubs for younger children.

There will be two trial projects for 8-13 year-olds to provide opportunities and encourage participation. The aim is to provide more constructive activities for young people.

• The first project is 'The Road to 2012'. It will build on the anticipated interest in sport in the run up to the Olympics and Paralympics and provide opportunities for this younger age group to participate in sport by allowing 8-13 year olds to access discounted multi-sport sessions in their local leisure or community centre. The children will then be given a 'Passport to Leisure card, which provides discounts at many leisure facilities across the Borough. The long-term aim is to encourage more youngsters to participate in sport on a regular basis.

• The second project is intended to encourage parish and town councils to bid for a grant to start a junior youth club in their local area. The money will enable ten local councils to employ a youth worker for one night a week to run the youth club for the first year, and the local council will then continue the funding.

Euan said: "The Liberal Democrats have pledged more support for young people. When we put our pledges to the residents of Milton Keynes, providing more activities for young people was widely supported, so I am delighted that we are keeping our pledge".