Huge cuts to the budgets of the council's Youth Service has led to the closure of a number of sessions at the 68 Centre and the Lighthouse in Heworth ward.

Local councillors have learned that when members of staff are off work for whatever reason, then no cover is arranged and sessions for youngsters are not run.

Ward councillor Ruth Potter attacked the Lib Dem council for its targeted cuts to vulnerable children and young people in the area she represents. She said:

"This is hugely disappointing and unacceptable to my mind that Executive Member Coun. Ayre has imposed cuts in the region of 10% to youth service budgets in only one year. This must be seen in the context of an area of the council's responsibilities which was already chronically underfunded before the last budget settlement.

"Recruitment to cover those who leave has ended and staff cover frozen for the time being. Quite how the service is able to operate in these circumstances is anyone's guess, but because these services benefit children and young people, the Liberal Democrats have decided it is an easy option.

Coun. Tina Funnell commented:

"Tang Hall's Friday night youth club looks set to end in June due to lack of funding, which is another hammer blow to those young people and the relationships they are building with youth workers in the area. This is a huge letdown to these people, who deserve far better than this council is giving them".