A YOUTH centre in Melksham forced to close to save Wiltshire Council money is costing the council more than £11,000 to remain empty, it was claimed last week.

Canberra Youth Centre on Spa Road has been shut for seven months after the council announced a £191,000 cut to its youth services budget last year, and that ‘unviable’ youth centres would close.

It meant the much-loved building that has been part of the town for 40 years would no longer serve as a venue; leaving youngsters in Melksham with no dedicated hub to socialise in.

At the council’s budget meeting last Tuesday Councillor Jon Hubbard, who represents the Melksham South ward, asked how much the empty building was costing.

He was told £8,500 was being spent on national non-domestic rates, £2,500 on security and £234 on keyholding.

Cllr Hubbard also challenged the council on whether they knew before the centre closed, that it has a legal covenant placed upon it – restricting options to dispose it.

In response, an officer on behalf of Councillor Laura Mayes, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said officers had know for many years and the sale of the centre was linked to the original business case for Melksham Campus.

They added it closed because it was no longer required for youth services.

Cllr Hubbard who is chair of Melksham charity Extended Services for young people and the children’s services select committee, has submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out the full details on the covenant.

He has also brandished the findings a scandal. He said: “We are paying to keep an empty building empty. We are telling the people of Melksham we have to pay £11,000 a year to stop us being able to deliver youth services.”

Just last Tuesday a new youth club was set up at The Adventure Centre costing £2,000 to rent the premises.

Cllr Hubbard added: “We have been struggling to get replacement youth services up and running in Melksham following the Conservative cuts, and one of the big struggles has been identifying premises.

“Why are we are paying to deliver services that could be delivered in that building elsewhere. I can’t get my head around what they think they are achieving.”

Wiltshire Council were contacted for a comment but did not respond before the Wiltshire Times went to print.