RADCLIFFE Y-Zone could close as part of a £4.1 million cuts package faced by Bury Council.

The youth centre off Pilkington Way is one of five whose future is in doubt as the council admitted this week there was a proposal to take £300,000 from the youth service’s £1.5 million budget but said no decision would be taken until March. The council announced it plans to “externalise the youth service” but refused to give further details. However, sources say this would mean winding down the youth service from April 1, shutting it in April 2010, and then paying voluntary agencies to run activities. If no outside group came forward to run services, they would close.

It is understood the posts of all 48 staff based at the area’s six youth clubs and one youth project are under threat. One source said: “Young people, staff and parents are up in arms. The service reaches 4,000 teenagers and in some cases can turn them around from potential criminals to model citizens.”

The threat to the youth service comes as Bury Council tries to bridge an estimated £4.1 million budget shortfall for the coming year.

The so-called ‘A’ list totals £2.7 million for 2009-10 and includes reducing transport costs and composting green waste.

The “A” list can be found on the council’s website at www.bury.gov.uk; at reception areas at council offices; by contacting the director of finance and e-Government on 0161 253 5002 or by e mail to budget2009@bury.gov.uk where any views on the proposed savings can be left or they can be sent by post to the Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury BL9 0SW.