Leeds City Council children's services cuts revealed

An organisation which helps young women in deprived areas will be affected

Leeds City Council is planning to cut its children's services revenue by more than £2m, it has been revealed.

The decision, taken by the Leeds City Council executive board, is ahead of the government's spending review.

The authority will have £15m cut from its grant revenue this financial year.

Grants will be cut to more than 50 organisations that run projects for children and young people, and will affect sports clubs and charities like Barnardos.

Getaway Girls, an organisation which helps young women in deprived areas, is to have its budget cut by 12%.

'Burden of cuts'

Its manager Gail Hardwick said the impact of the cuts would be high.

She said: "We could be reducing some of the group work, the creche may have to open for fewer hours, and we may not be able to afford some of the session workers we have."

Councillor Richard Lewis, deputy leader of Labour-controlled Leeds City Council, said: "Our priority throughout has been to ensure that the burden of cuts is fair, protects the most vulnerable children and families and that the needs of small organisations are considered.

"To do this, we have applied the cuts across all contracts and services with the aim of diluting the impact and ensuring the worst effects are mitigated. This includes services that the council provides, not just those delivered by private and voluntary groups."