The council started running youth development programmes in 2007, using government funding. The programmes ran under the umbrella of Making a Difference, and worked with young people across three different schemes: the Clutha Challenge, one-on-one mentoring, and a leadership course.
Council chief executive Charles Hakkaart said the services were delivered by Enterprise Clutha, which employed youth development co-ordinator Daniel Maze. Mr Maze resigned at the end of last year. Enterprise Clutha received $42,000 in council funding a year to run the services. The remaining $40,000 was provided by charitable organisations and the Government.
Mr Hakkaart said that as part of last year's restructuring of how district development services would be provided in the district, it was proposed the council would take over the employment of a youth development co-ordinator who would continue to deliver the youth programmes. It was also likely the council would have to increase its current contribution to the youth co-ordinator position from $42,000 to $62,000.
The issue of how the council should be involved with the youth development co-ordinator, and the programmes provided through that position, sparked a debate at a council meeting last week.
Cr Gaynor Finch said she had real concerns around who would pick up the programmes if the council dropped them. Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said youth development was a ''critical component'' of what the district offered its youth.
''We have a programme that is recognised nationally.''
He said the programmehelped change the perception of the district, and helped Clutha's youth build confidence.
Cr John Cochrane said the programme was a Government initiative and outside core council services.
''They [the Government] came to us and said they would put in $2 for every dollar we spent. The Government has walked away from it ... ''
Cr Cochrane moved the council explore making agreements with, and providing funding of up to $25,000 a year, to suitable organisations in the community to deliver youth programmes. The motion passed, with Mr Cadogan, and Crs Ron Davis and Bruce Graham voting against.
