Labour wins support for youth strategy

Labour has won support for a new youth service for West Northamptonshire.

All parties backed the call for the new service, and it was also supported by young people and a Northampton community organisation.

Cllr Enam Haque (Castle Ward) made the call for a service to meet the needs of young people following a series of tragic incidents in Northampton. Young people needed activities for evenings and weekends, especially in the hard-pressed communities in town.

Speaking at the first meeting of the new Council, his motion won support from all political groups on the Council. It also won support from Clive Ireson, of the Springs Family Centre in Northampton and from a group of students at Northampton International Academy who won a standing ovation from the Council for their presentation.

Cllr Rufia Ashraf (Dallington Spencer) seconded the motion, and spoke of the need for more activities for young people following a recent knife crime in the ward.

The Group will be following up on plans for the new youth service being developed by the Council.