EMOTIONS ran high at a meeting last Wednesday, over proposals to cut Devon's youth service budget by almost £1-million. A public consultation event at Tavistock Town Hall saw around 50 people attend — ranging from youth club workers, parents, county, borough and town councillors, a youth club member, and three county council cabinet members — Barry Parsons, Roger Croad and James McInnes. In February it was announced that Devon County Council had to save £110-million from its spending by 2017, resulting in all of its services being put under the spotlight. The county's youth service costs £3.7-million a year and employs 114 full time staff which it plans to cut to 33, and 220 part-time staff, which it proposes to take to between 60 and 70. The loss of so many staff could impact on some youth centres not being able to open their doors — with some centres already closing, including those at North Tawton and Mary Tavy. Okehampton mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said he was concerned that with Okehampton being a hub in a rural community, the loss of its Devon County Council youth provision would have a significant impact on the town and surrounding community. 'Poor transport links do not enable our young people to easily travel to areas where there may be youth activities.' he said. 'According to the county council's own impact assessment, a staggering 229 young people have attended the Room 13 youth centre in Okehampton during the last 12 months. Of this number 85 have been identified as having special educational needs. Where will they go now? 'I cannot fight every corner and stand against every cut being made by Devon County Council but serious consideration needs to be made regarding the future of youth activities and provision within the Okehampton area.' Eighteen-year-old Becky Venning, from Bere Alston, told members of the councils and the public just how important youth workers were to the lives of the youngsters who attend the clubs. She said: 'The biggest problem with the youth is that they get bored. 'They sit on street corners to socialise, and older people get scared. They are not doing anything wrong, but when you get a group together they will make their own fun by pushing boundaries. 'But in the youth club they push the boundaries and it's ok as the youth worker cares for you — on the street corners they get into trouble.' Jon Ord, director of a West Devon youth cafe, said: 'You are sacrificing youth work and sacrificing using money on the youth to prop up failing services — you have to think again! 'Once the Devon Youth Service goes you have then sacrificed a generation of young people. There is a statutory requirement to provide a youth service. 'These are tough choices but let's not make the wrong choice. Devon Youth Service needs to fulfill its obligation to provide a service out of school.' Ciara White from Tavistock Support Services said: 'In rural areas the key person in stopping things getting worse for that person and saving their back, is their youth worker. 'On a Friday evening when things go wrong it is often their youth worker they turn to for help.' Along with plans to cut the number of staff, the county is considering moving from a 'universal service' to a more 'targeted' approach aimed at early help and prevention. The targeted approach would mean the council would no longer have to manage or run more traditional centre-based activities aimed at universal support for all youngsters. Skilled youth workers would work with social workers and other partners to identify and provide early help and support to vulnerable young people and those most at risk. The Reach Team youth service — concerned with child sexual exploitation and missing young people — will continue, and so will the local Youth Network, but with scaled- back funding. In response to hearing of the focused approach on the vulnerable, Cllr the Rev Mike Davies said: 'The trouble is we don't know they are vulnerable until they get through the doors, and the assessor is the youth worker. 'Devon county has spent years employing these youth workers and training these youth workers and all will be lost when they lose their jobs and don't come forward and volunteer.' Explaining the council's proposal and answering the public's questions were Tim Golby, head of the county's social care commission, and Simon Kitchen, head of policy, strategic and organisation change. Mr Golby said the money needed to be saved from its spending, and all services, not just the youth service, run by the county were being looked at for ways to cut budgets. He said: 'This is difficult — I have never known a time like this. We do not have enough money and that's why we are making these difficult decisions. 'But this is not a done deal and we are open to views as to what can be different.' Cabinet member Cllr Barry Parsons spoke at the end of the meeting and said how much he valued the youth service and the youth of the county. He said: 'When I hear that politicians don't care, I can assure you that the opposite is true and we are wrestling with this. 'We know the effect it has on individuals and your county councillors do care. 'I don't want to lose our youth services but what I have to do is respond and I need you to help us respond to protect our youth and their future. I promise you we have every ounce of passion on this.' County cabinet member for children, schools and skills, Cllr James McInnes, who chaired the consultation, assured the public that councillors had been speaking to the youth, and had visited youth groups in Okehampton, Bideford, Holsworthy, Torridge and Barnstaple to listen to their views on the proposed cuts. He said: 'I assure you that we understand their concerns and that we are here to listen. We have no doubt on their views but it's not fair to say we are not listening.' After the meeting, county councillor Debo Sellis said: 'I hope we demonstrated what a horrible position we are in. 'None of us stood for council to cut budgets — it's not what we want to do, but what we have to do is roll up our sleeves and find out how we can find some support. 'We have a responsibility to not cripple the future generations.' The county council consultation regarding youth services continues until April 27. For information on the proposals, go to http://www.toughchoices.co.uk">www.toughchoices.co.uk