Thousands sign petition over Warwickshire youth cuts

More than 13,000 people have signed a petition urging a council not to make cuts to its youth service, the union Unite said.

It said Warwickshire County Council's proposal to axe the service would lead to the closure of more than 30 youth clubs and projects.

More than 350 jobs could also be affected, it said.

The council said it was setting aside £1m to "transform" the youth service.

The petition was handed in to Councillor Frank McCarney, chairman of Bedworth Heath and Keresley Youth Project.

Chris Spreadbury, vice-chairman of Unite's Warwickshire youth and community branch, said: "The council's proposal to axe Warwickshire Youth Service flies in the face of its pledge to protect the most vulnerable and the frontline services that support them."

The Conservative-run county council said its youth service would be transformed, with the focus moving to "targeted provision" with youth workers forming part of multi-disciplinary teams.

The £1million would be spent on establishing links between youth workers and voluntary or community groups, a spokesman said, with the aim being to provide a more mobile service with youth workers moving around Warwickshire to areas of need.