CREDITON Youth Centre is set to close this month but the campaign to save it from permanent closure is still gathering momentum. Local County Councillor Nick Way (Crediton Rural), working with Crediton Town Council, the Hayward's School Governors and others believe 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 by 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." CRAMP (Crediton Rural Arts and Music Project) has also been involved in the discussion to retain the Youth Centre. Unfortunately, the centre's youth worker, Ben Goodman, is moving to a new job, which has not helped the immediate situation. Cllr Way has been speaking with the interested parties, including the school, but in the meantime, the Centre will be closing. Cllr Way recently explained: "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. "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] .