Council closes 'sub-standard' village youth group

A parish council has closed its youth group after it said it needed to improve its what it needed to offer.

The Rendlesham Youth Group, which ran after-school groups at the Community Centre in the Suffolk village, announced last week it would not reopen in September.

David Waring, chairman of Rendlesham Parish Council, which oversees the group, said the current offering was not up to standards.

However, the council said it was aiming to offer a youth service again in the new year.

The group is run by the Rendlesham Youth Group Charity that reports back to the council. It has been involved since 2012.

About 15 to 25 children were attending the group across three mid-week evenings during school term-time.

Mr Waring said the decision to not reopen in September was made following a review process.

"As part of the review we've had to consider the things like legal and compliance which protects both children and staff, how we engage with the youngsters in the community, and if that could be improved [or] if it is as good as it should be," he said.

"Unfortunately we've come to the conclusion that what we're currently doing at the moment is probably not as good as it should be.

"The council certainly has got an objective to strengthen and improve our offer."

Mr Waring encouraged people to remain patient.

"We recognise the disappointment [of families] and we recognise the disappointment [of] the members of staff that were engaged with the delivery of those evening sessions," he said.

"We would certainly encourage [people] to be patient because what is coming around the corner is going to be better for everyone.

"Once it's in place we'll be able to attract a larger community of youths from the ages of eight right through to the teens.

"We'll look back and say this has been a good decision for Rendlesham."

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