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The town was selected by the Government in 2023 as one of 55 across the country in need of investment. Councillor Paul Bott said £400,000 of the £20m had been set aside to create a permanent youth base to be located at the back of George Rose Park. The plans were drawn up after an initial consultation found that a youth provision was a priority for locals. Councillor Bott said £10,0000 has already been spent clearing the site, a former Walsall Council depot. The initial funds came from £65,000 given to the authority via a Section 106 payment for the Wards Keep housing estate in Darlaston. Councillor Bott and his wife and fellow ward member for Darlaston South, Councillor Chris Bott, fear the new £20m town board will scrap the plan of having a permanent youth base, and instead see outreach workers deployed to the area. The chairman of the board, Manjit Jhooty of Walsall-based Jhoots Group, did not comment directly on the George Rose Park youth base but said an advisory group had been set up so young people’s voices can ‘help shape’ future plans for the town. Over recent months the Darlaston town board has come under significant scrutiny due to lack of community representation. The Botts have long-opposed the current set up of the board which is mostly made up of officers from organisations in Walsall. The board only met for the first time earlier this month at a private meeting, with protesters directly outside, and so far a list of members is yet to be published. Councillor Paul Bott said: “Before this board was set up, they were going to employ two youth workers that would be based at George Rose Park and they’d have satellite offices in King’s Hill and Moxley. “We’re concerned now that the money we’ve secured for that youth programme will be pulled. “We’ve spent £10,000 on clearing the site to move that youth project forward. But we now feel that the £10,000 has been wasted and this quango might write off the £400,000 and have outreach workers in the area instead. “We don’t want that. We wanted a permanent youth base that the kids deserve. They’re walking the streets, there’s knife crime, mental health issues. “They’re in desperate need of a proper base with a proper run youth service, not some outreach worker.” Mr Jhooty said: “The voices of young people will influence and help shape future plans for Darlaston. Despite the programme being in its infancy, a Youth Advisory Group has been established to ensure that young people have the opportunity to have their say. “Initial discussions with pupils at Grace Academy indicate young people want more facilities and opportunities, and want to feel safe. “These discussions mark the start of our ongoing commitment to working with our young people, and any formal proposals will be developed through further consultation as part of the wider plans for Darlaston.”
