THE impact of the Hinkley Point C development on the local night-time economy could put the mental and sexual health of young people at increasing risk, West Somerset Council’s cabinet has been warned.

Members agreed at their meeting last Wednesday (March 7) to recommend approval of a £71,150 Hinkley Point CIM grant for a full-time youth worker to help 11 to 24-year-olds deal with problems caused by expected changes in West Somerset nightlife over the next ten years.

The £81,150 two-year programme, based on the Minehead Eye youth centre, will provide professional advice and support to West Somerset communities in the evenings and at weekends, cabinet members were told in a report by HPC community and housing lead Lisa Redston.

The full West Somerset Council will discuss the cabinet’s recommendation at a future meeting.

Stressing the need for “proactive preventative work in relation to sexual health”, the report said the proposed outreach project would provide advice and guidance, raise aspirations, support the development of self-esteem and a good understanding of healthy relationships.

This would help prepare young people for the situations they might encounter when they reach adulthood and start to access the night-time economy.

The report added: “The work will specifically focus on issues around sexual or mental health but may lead to issues around vulnerability e-safety, awareness and communication.”

The youth worker would provide six-week visits on a one-to-one or small group basis at venues near to the clients’ homes.

Cllr Rosemary Woods said she hoped that during the advice process “children will be told that they can just say ‘no’. She said she hoped they would adopt the attitude ‘Whoa! I’m going to look after my body – you have to earn the right to have access to it’.

Council chairman Bruce Heywood told members that on a recent holiday in France he noticed a condom-dispensing machine outside a chemists’ shop: “I thought that was a good idea.”

Cllr Heywood said such machines could save the possible embarrassment some young people might feel about going into a shop, maybe help to avoid unwanted pregnancies, and be good for sexual health in general.

He thought it was an idea which could be considered in West Somerset.

Supporting the application, Cllr Martin Dewdney said the issue was a key area for young people: “It is very important that they have access to professional help. It is a great project that can do a huge amount of good.”

Cllr Susan Goss said she was pleased that mental health issues had been included in the proposals, and Cllr Dave Westcott said it was important to have such a facility in West Somerset.

He added: “In larger towns there are lots of places youngsters can go for advice. It is not so easy in more rural areas.

“Now we’ve got somewhere they can get that advice. It is a difficult subject but there is a great need for information.”

Presenting the report, deputy leader Cllr Mandy Chilcott said there had been a wide consultation with community groups, the police, schools and youth service and sexual health providers to ensure young people in most need would have access to advice and support.

Cllr Chilcott added: “The board felt they would also be inclined to to support an application for similar projects in other areas impacted by an increased use of the night-time economy.

“The board requests that the applicants assist other providers of services for young people to bring forward applications to the CIM fund.”