Teenagers urged to speak out on Kirkbymoorside wish-list (From Gazette & Herald)

Teenagers urged to speak out on Kirkbymoorside wish-list

11:19am Wednesday 28th April 2010 in News By Gazette Reporter

YOUNG people in Kirkbymoorside could be in line for a better deal and a stronger voice.

The town’s annual assembly at the Memorial Hall heard that moves were being made to set up a youth club and a youth council.

Jane Thomas, the local scout leader, said: “There are a number of people who would help facilitate a youth club.”

She said many young people currently spent their evenings gathered on the steps of the market cross and suggested a good start would be to provide a youth cafe for those aged 14-18, possibly in an empty shop. “They want something which is not organised,” she added.

Mayor Coun Joe Coughlan said: “We need to hear from the young people what they want.”

The council is exploring the possibility of having a youth council in Kirkbymoorside which would give young people an opportunity to voice their aspirations and views on its future.

Coun Coughlan said there was also a need to find alternative employment land in the town.

He said: “Everyone wants Kirkbymoorside to remain a working community and to enable our young people to stay here.”

* The town council is taking action to remove a spoil heap in the parish churchyard which is enroaching on graves.

* Coun Gaynor de Barr praised the residents and business in the town for their support in funding tubs and hanging baskets as part of the town’s entry for the Yorkshire in Bloom competition. She said the spring judging, held last week, had been encouraging and will be followed by a further judging of the town in the summer.

* Criticism was made of the town council’s decision to impose a 20.8 per cent increase in its council tax to 27p a week. Coun Coughlan said the decison had to be made because of council commitments, and to enable the council to move forward with its aspirations for the town.

* Residents were urged to come forward with projects which could benefit from the participatory budgeting scheme being administered by Rural Action Yorkshire which offers grants for community schemes.