DORSET County Council’s (DCC) decision that there will be no extra funding or time for youth centres in the county is sending the message that they “don’t care about young people", say campaigners.

DCC’s full council voted this week to raise council tax by 1.99 per cent and also increase the separate social care precept section of the council tax by two per cent.

Earlier this year, the council agreed to withdraw funding from youth centres.

However, The council said that while no extra money will be allocated following an extra £4.1 million from central government, it will be flexible with timings when business cases are made for the centres.

A transitional grant from central government means that The council is now £4.1 million better after an extra government grant, off than originally feared but the The council said the extra grant did not mean it will have this money to give to youth services.

The new model of New New youth service provision in the county will see money withdrawn from centres, with youth workers working in schools and the community to provide a provision to those who need it most.

Communities are now being asked to come up with business plans to support the youth centres.

Cabinet member for children and young people Toni Coombs said there were business cases already coming forward for all the youth centres.

She said: “The RSG (Revenue Support Grant) does not mean that there is any more funding available to the county council.

“Lots of groups are making good progress in developing business proposals. This is not about cutting, this is the right way to do it. We’ve had interest from the community for every single of those 22 youth centres.”

Groups have until the end of March to provide business cases and DCC will allocate £200,000 to help communities take over the running of youth service buildings.

Janet Page, a volunteer with the Beaminster Youth Centre, said they are trying to negotiate with the county council to get use of the building and some money to allow them to run it. The committee will then look to fundraise to get a youth worker.

The committee are currently working on finishing their constitution.

Mrs Page said that the Beaminster centre was used by most of the young people in the area, adding: “Beaminster is one of the busiest and at least 40 per cent of young people use it. It’s also used by the Young Farmers and Scouts. You name it, young people use it.

She said the group had a feeling the decision was coming, adding: “We are not happy it’s happened at all. It just seems to me they are saying we don’t care about young people.”

Bridport town councillor Kelvin Clayton said he was “grossly disappointed” with the decision, but said a number of people including himself and Ros Kayes were trying to put a business plan and trust together to take over the running of the youth centre building. That way the building would still be available for youth work and the other clubs.

He said: “It’s used by a wide variety of community groups too, we want to save it for them too. It would be a real loss to the community if the building goes.”

They are currently looking for trustees, anyone interested should email enquiries@bridport-tc.gov.uk.