PLANS to cut Devon's youth service by almost £1-million will deliver a 'devastating blow' to all West Devon youngsters, youth workers and volunteers, it was claimed this week.

Anyone working with young people through clubs or voluntary organisations is being urged to attend a consultation event regarding the cuts, being held in Tavistock next month.

Devon County Council's youth service costs £3.7m a year and employs 114 staff — the cash-strapped authority has to save £110-million from its spending by 2017 — and all of its services are under the spotlight.

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 no longer had 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 proposed changes are a response to the recent critical Ofsted report of the county's children's services together with the budget pressures being faced by all councils.

But Jen Potts, the youth and community development worker for the Bere Peninsula, said: 'Further county-wide cuts forcing the closure of youth centres delivers another devastating blow to a sector already suffering the damage of recent reductions that span the past few years.

'Shouldn't the Government recognise youth work as a front line service?

'Bere Alston-based Youth 2 Youth is a rurally isolated provision and Devon Youth Service and Youth 2 Youth have enjoyed a great partnership.

'With only one salaried employee, Youth 2 Youth partnership with DYS has provided us with valuable support and knowledge of other experienced youth workers.

'Their support has been instrumental in enabling our small project to grow in strength and effectiveness, offering a high level of signposting and youth work in the Bere Peninsula.'

Vicki Lloyd, manager of Tavistock Youth Café and local youth network co-ordinator, remained optimistic for the future. She said: 'Devon Youth Service provided our voluntary organisation with vital support, training and professionalism.

'Funding is still an issue, as it is for all voluntary organisations, but this is not a new problem and we see no reason to not be optimistic about raising enough money for our new building and working with other community groups to continue to support each other as we always have.

'Tavistock Youth Café is a strong and well known organisation which can and will continue to provide quality youth work to young people in Tavistock and the surrounding area.'

By law the county council must provide a number of services, and while the youth service is not a statutory service the council is keen to find alternative delivery partners to secure a sustainable future.

Cllr Mandy Ewings, chair of the board of trustees at the youth café, said: 'As much as the news about the cuts to Devon Youth Service is disappointing it is not unexpected. It has been on the cards for the last few years, particularly as is pointed out, a youth service is not a statutory duty of the county council.

'That said, Tavistock is more than capable of looking after its own and that is what the voluntary groups have been working towards.

'When Tavistock Youth Café lost its building we didn't give up the organisation and we have been working extremely hard to find new premises.

'I am delighted to see that Tavistock has a consultation evening to which I would encourage everyone to attend, young people, parents, carers, community and voluntary group members.'

Devon's cabinet member with responsibility for the youth service, Will Mumford, said: 'These proposals envisage a significant shift from open access, universal facilities to targeted support for those most in need.

'We will be particularly keen to work with local communities during the consultation to develop a new "offer" for young people for which the county council might be able to provide some initial support.

'We would also be happy to discuss with our staff the possibility of forming a staff mutual or social enterprise to take on local youth provision.'

The public consultation on proposed changes in the council's youth service will be held on April 16 at Tavistock Town Hall from 7pm to 9pm.