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MARGARET O’Neill has spoken out against more Council funding for youth services, saying the elderly are being forgotten.
But, figures reveal $62,000 more is spent on senior services each year.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, a report tabled by General Manager Warwick Bennett sought in principle approval to increase the budget for youth activities and services by more than $100,000 per year.
The money was to be put toward four key elements in boosting youth services in support of current Youth Officer Alysha House.
This included the development of a council Youth Policy ($25,000), additional space for youth at the McDermott Centre ($15,000), increased events budget for youth ($15,000) and the employment of an administration officer ($45,000).
But, the additional funding, particularly that of the administration officer, concerned Cr O’Neill.
“I just don’t like locking money into things,” the councillor of more than 30 years said.
“I want to know the exact numbers we spend on youth … the seniors are being left behind. We seem to be sending too much on young people.”
She urged Council to explore sharing the admin role among existing Community Services staff.
Cr Alf Walker said the report distributed to councillors was too vague in detail, and requested more information from the workshop.
“I think that a lot more information needs to come forward, because this report has really limited the view of councillors on the issue and what’s actually going on at the McDermott Centre. There is a momentum that has built and is rapidly growing and I feel this has a lot of missing information.”
A motion to defer approval, pending a workshop with Community Services Manager Jim Styles, was successful.
Yesterday, Mr Bennett said the proposal will now either be subject to a budgetary review process in the early new year or included as part of next year’s budget.
He confirmed $177,000 was spent annually on aged care services, including neighbourhood aid, respite care programs, senior citizens week and Marulan aged care services.
“For youth services we spend $115,000 which is spent on youth opportunity program like Be Seen Be Heard, youth activities week and of course the youth council,” Mr Bennett said.
Further, $94,000 is allocated each year for support programs for young people with disabilities.
He said Council was keen to build on the work of Be Seen Be Heard.
“Alysha (House) is exceptional and has lifted youth services to levels we haven’t seen in the past and we want to continue working on the great work she has done to date,” he said.
“But, councillors need to discuss this in a more detailed manner than perhaps what the report did.”