Principles met

  • We will explore ways for councils to act as a platform for helping the community to contribute to local outcomes, and to re-think the role of councillors as community connectors, brokers and leaders.
  • We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.

In June 2023, Seaton Valley Community Council (SVCC) was advised by a representative of Northumberland County Council (NCC) that sessional youth workers had been served with their notice of redundancy and advised that their services would no longer be required from September 2023.

As a result of NCC’s decision, the youth clubs and outreach provision in each of the five villages in Seaton Valley, which were part-funded by SVCC, would end abruptly in September 2023 unless either the parish council or local community groups could find ways to deliver the service independently.

In response to the county council withdrawing its service, a Seaton Valley Youth Provision Working Group was formed in August 2023 to bring together local community groups invested in sustaining the youth service across Seaton Valley. The group has been chaired by Cllr. Susan Dungworth, Chair of Seaton Valley Council, and membership consists of representatives from the village community associations, Blyth Valley CVA, the Scouts, and councillors and staff from Seaton Valley Council.

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