There's still time for people to have their say on proposals to develop and transform the youth service in Wolverhampton.

A consultation is currently underway into proposals to modernise the service, which Wolverhampton City Council says will enable youth services to be provided at more locations around the city - enabling more young people to access them.

The proposals also seek to save around £750,000 over the next 2 years as part of the city council's wider efforts to save £100 million between now and 2018.

People can also find out more about the proposals and share their opinions at the following Local Neighbourhood Partnership meetings:

  • Wednesfield and Fallings Park LNP, New Testament Church of God, Thursday 23 May, 2013, at 5.30pm
  • Whitmore Reans LNP, Gloucester Street Community Centre, Tuesday 4 June, 2013, at 6pm
  • Blakenhall LNP, Blakenhall Community and Healthy Living Centre, Wednesday 5 June, 2013, at 6pm
  • East Park LNP, East Park Methodist Church, Thursday 6 June, 2013, at 7pm
  • Springvale LNP, Lanesfield Community Centre, Tuesday 11 June, 2013, at 6.30pm
  • Bantock LNP, Tractor Shed Bantock House, Wednesday 19 June, 2013, at 6pm
  • Low Hill LNP, Scotlands Adventure Playground, Tuesday 25 June, 2013, at 7pm
  • Bilston North and Bilston East LNP, Bilston Methodist Church Hall, Wednesday 26 June, 2013, at 7pm

There is no need to book and people are welcome to attend any of these meetings. Anyone who cannot attend one of the meetings can find out more about the proposals and submit their comments by visiting the Type=links;Linkid=1706;Title=Youth Service Savings Proposal consultation;Target=_blank;.

Youth club members have been invited to have their say at meetings at their local club, though young people who aren't a member of a youth club or cannot make their local meeting can take part in a drop-in session at the Epic Youth Café on Lichfield Street on Wednesday 29 May, 2013, between 12pm and 5pm.

Rob Willoughby, Wolverhampton City Council's Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Business Support and Community Services, said: "The city council, like many other authorities across the country, is facing unprecedented pressures on its finances. We have to find savings of around £100 million over the next 5 years and so we are rightly looking very closely at everything we do.

"As part of this, we are reviewing the Youth Service and have come up with a number of proposals which we believe will enable us to make these savings while continuing to provide a wide range of services to young people by focusing on key areas and delivering the maximum impact with the resources available.

"We're also determined to increase the number of young people who are able to access our services by making them more widely available across the city than is the case at present."

He added: "It's important that young people, and their families, have their say on the proposals so that we can ensure that they will meet the needs of local people."

The consultation is due to continue until Monday 15 July, 2013, and a final decision will subsequently be made by Cabinet this summer.

  • released: Wednesday 22 May, 2013