THE campaign to save Crediton Youth Centre from closure has been gathering momentum over the last few months – and local County Councillor Nick Way (Crediton Rural) hopes that a solution could be within sight. Cllr Way convened a meeting of community groups, volunteers and young people who use the centre in May at which interested parties began discussions about what could be done to retain the town's Youth Centre in the light of funding cuts being faced by Devon County Council. The council is having to reduce the services it offers such as youth provision across the county. At the meeting in May, discussions began on possible solutions for Crediton. One of those which came out of the meeting was the possibility that the Youth Centre, which is located next to Hayward's Primary School, be used for both schoolchildren during the day and by the Youth Centre in the evening. Following the meeting, Mr Way said: "The centre is situated next to Hayward's School and is part of the old school complex. "The council is predicting a rise in numbers of children over the next few years entering the town's two primary schools and more classrooms are expected to be needed. "One of the ideas is to insist that the council looks seriously at utilising the building and to provide space for both the school and the youth centre, thus saving total costs." He also said: "The Youth Centre in East Street is an important facility for many young people within the area and must not be lost. "It has provided a safe and productive environment for both the current group of users and for many other young people in the past." Cllr Way has now convened, with Crediton Town Council and other interested parties, including CRAMP (Crediton Rural Arts and Music Project) and the Governors of Hayward's School, a meeting which will take place next week, which will seek to co-ordinate proposals and ideas further. Mr Way explained: "I have spoken with the Head of the Governors at Hayward's and the now former Head Teacher and we are looking at progressing the plan that Hayward's take over the building and that it uses it during the day and then the Youth Centre can operate from there in the evening. "This is obviously subject to discussion with Crediton Town Council, CRAMP and the Governors, Devon County Council and other parties but it could be a solution and I hope it will lead to a Crediton Youth Service operating from the same premises at the Crediton Youth Centre. "There are many computations of what could happen and who will lead on it and things like funding. "There are, however, some funds which could be accessed from the county council, which could be available and there are possibly other funding streams. "Numbers of children are expected to rise in the town in coming years and such a solution could be good for the school and youth provision. "Already more than 100 children use the youth centre each week. "It is simply something that the town cannot afford to lose." Mr Way said that if anyone had any ideas or suggestions about ways of retaining youth provision in the town, they should please contact him on 01363 777903 or Mrs Clare Dalley, Crediton Town Clerk at the Crediton Town Council office on 01363 773717. • How do you think future youth service provision in Crediton could be saved? If you have any ideas or comments, please email a letter, to share your ideas with fellow Courier readers, to: [email protected]">[email protected] .