Court case challenges cuts to council's youth services Morning Star - Tuesday 12 June 2012 http://www.morningstaronline.co.

uk/news/content/view/full/120093 A case brought by a North Somerset resident challenging the local authority's decision to axe youth funding will be heard at the Administrative Court in Cardiff today. If successful the claim brought by Aaron Hunt of Banwell near Weston-Super-Mare could force North Somerset Council to reconsider the cuts it has made. Mr Hunt argues that the decision to impose cuts of over 70 per cent to the area's youth services budget was arrived at without adequate consultation with service users. He also alleges that the council did not give due consideration to the needs of vulnerable users protected by the Equality Act 2010. Mr Hunt's legal representatives from Public Interest Lawyers say that he suffers from learning difficulties and relied upon his local youth club for support and friendship. They state that the "reconfiguration of his club left him feeling confused and isolated and the uncertainty about the club's long-term sustainability has been the source of considerable upset." As a result of the council's decision six youth groups have already closed or are due to close. Surviving youth groups face uncertainty as the council provides only a limited funding grant. Mr Hunt is seeking a declaration that the decision of North Somerset Council to reduce funding to youth services was unlawful and an order overturning the decision. Permission was granted for the case to proceed to full judicial review by Mr Justice Wyn Williams last month. The judge abridged the usual timetable for judicial review hearings and transferred the case to the Administrative Court in Cardiff to speed up proceedings.