CASH-STRAPPED Dudley Council will let the Yemeni Association run youth services at Halesowen Youth Centre in a deal which is the first of its kind in the borough.

A deal is being thrashed out which will see The Halesowen and Dudley Yemeni Community Association rent the Highfields Road building for 18 months from April 1.

Last year the council cut £200,000 from the youth service budget axing 27 youth workers and services at the youth centre have been cut drastically in the last five years.

Belle Vale councillor Ian Cooper, who is Dudley Council's cabinet member for children's services, believes the deal will be the shape of things to come in the public sector.

He said: "Due to the financial pressures the council is under we are looking to work with local organisations to run services.

"I have sat in with negotiations concerning The Halesowen Youth Centre with the Yemeni Association and this will be one the first of its kind concerning youth services."

He added: "We are not giving anything away but are going to lease the Yemeni Association the building for a period of 18 months to see how they get on.

"They will be providing universal services which all of the community can use."

The HDYCA was formed in 1994 to represent the 400 plus Yemeni families in the borough.

A spokesman for HDYCA said: "This is the first deal of its kind in the borough and we have worked really hard on it."

"We will aim to provide young people with access to the building that is welcoming, safe, warm and clean, where young people can engage in a range of fun, challenging activities.

"We will provide young people with the opportunity to gain life and social skills via organised activities, conversations and discussions with other young people and staff, dealing with any issues which they face in everyday life.

He added: "Young people will have the chance to learn new skills, through your engagement in challenges and activities involving having fun, taking risks and responsibilities, developing teamwork and enhancing your creativity."