DESPITE what is being reported about the slowing down of County Services Crediton's Devon County Councillor, Nick Way, is hopeful that it will be possible to retain a working Youth Centre in Crediton. Devon will retain a professional youth work service and eight area-based youth centre hubs under new proposals agreed by Devon County Council last Wednesday - the nearest hub to Crediton will be based at Tiverton. A proposal was made for the county council to withdraw completely from all universal youth provision, including all 32 existing Devon youth centres and has received interest from staff in developing a "staff mutual." (A Conservative initiative to encourage ownership by members and would be made up in part or entirely by the employees). Communities have been encouraged to come up with alternative ideas in order to make the best use of council youth centre buildings and other assets. What do you think? Please let me know. Contact me at 102 High Street, Crediton or email [email protected]">[email protected]. Readers are also invited to take part in the poll on the Courier website http://www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk">www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk. What you told us ..........

There is certainly a will in the community to see the centre not close. I hope that talks with people including Hayward's Primary School and the Town Council will come to a good conclusion and we will still be able to provide a youth service in Crediton. I originally opposed the measures and still do. It is very disappointing for many communities, including our own, that the county council is withdrawing services. Cllr Nick Way

I think it's not good for the Youth Centre to close as people will have nowhere to go and will get bored. They are less likely to cause trouble when they are in the club with others. I used to go when I was younger and was glad to be able to use the facilities. It is also a good way to get guidance if you have any worries. Natalie Armstrong, Crediton.

It is good for people to have a place to go. If it is because of a lack of funding then that's different circumstances, but it would be a shame for the Youth Centre to close. Scott and Glen Chudley, Crediton.

Online Poll

We asked our readers: Would the proposal to build a new town, with 3,000 houses, near the M5 be a better option than building more houses in the Crediton. We left the question online for a further week.

At the time of going to press the results showed: Yes 53 % No 46 %