Although Brent Council is doing its best to put a good gloss on it, there is no mistaking the fact that Youth Services are seeing a massive cutback. It is another example of how having something as a "statutory duty" does not really give the level of protection that people often assume.
Fulfilling a legal duty can be done in a minimalist way, and that is the route that Brent has been forced to assume with youth services. Effectively most of the duty is being outsourced, with the Council assuming more of a co-ordinating and supervisory role whereas previously it was a provider. I suspect that if it were not for the conditions attached to the grant that rebuilt Roundwood Youth Centre back in 2010, it and all the other youth centres would simply be closed down.
The report is also indicative of the dangers around tendering processes. Securing effective competition for a contract is by no means easy.
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