A charity has proposed setting up a £6.5 million youth hub for young people in Brighton and Hove.
Onside has approached Brighton and Hove City Council to set up its proposed “youth zone” in the centre of Brighton.
In other parts of the country Onside has worked with councils on empty sites, with councils investing in new facilities.
A report to members of the council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee said that this would not be possible in Brighton and Hove.
The report said that the council did not own any vacant sites in the city centre and none looked likely to become available in the next 18 months.
It said that Brighton Youth Centre, in Edward Street, owned a suitable site close to central bus routes.
The youth centre’s management and board members supported going into partnership with Onside and the council to develop the youth zone.
The capital cost of setting up a youth zone would be £6.5 million with annual running costs of £800,000.
Onside has offered to pay half of the capital cost – or £3.25 million – and £600,000 a year towards running costs for the first three years.
This would mean the council spending £3.25 million on the start-up costs and £200,000 on running costs for the first three years.
After three years, the council would pay the full £800,000 a year running cost.
Some money could come from the government. The report to the Children, Young People and Skills Committee said that the government had announced a new £500 million Youth Investment Fund.
The aim was to provide 60 new youth centres across the country and to refurbish 360 existing ones. It also planned to provide 100 mobile youth centres for harder-to-reach areas.
The report said that a further £12 million was expected to be available to support youth projects.
Before the Onside proposal moves ahead, councillors are expected to approve a “youth review”, with officials seeking the views of young people.
The review would be expected to look at services provided by youth organisations receiving council grants, the future of buildings used for youth work and access to services for young people who are council tenants.
Absolutely shocking that council chose location where Brighton YC is. I live in that area .. why would you want establish such centre in drug and junkies infested area. We can now barely desk with BYC youths coming and partying in our bin area. Getting drunk,play loud music buying easy accessible drugs and get hi. How many times we called police – lost count . When challenge them always get abuse from them it’s shocking . This kind of centre should be moved outside centre . I don’t think council don’t care about anything . It’s not the place for centre to be . I have been fighting this BYC since moved to the place near by. They are yobs not children, if teachers have no control.. who is