YOUTH workers are hoping to salvage services for young people in West Somerset by setting up a 'not for profit' community interest company.

Swingeing and ongoing cuts imposed by Somerset County Council over the past year mean the authority is set to pull out of providing all local youth services by the end of March next year, with the loss of 75 jobs.

This will affect youth clubs in Williton, Watchet, Minehead, Carhampton, Luxborough and Stogursey, affecting almost 300 youngsters.

But staff who have been at the sharp end of delivering the services are testing the water with the local communities they serve with a proposal aimed at ensuring vital provision is maintained.

The Somerset Coast Community and Youth Project is a community interest company limited by guarantee in which all profits will be ploughed back into services.

If it wins county council support and the backing of other authorities and organisations, it would have a project team of senior youth workers Fiona Jolley, Paul Matcham and Julie Nurton.

And its management committee would include county and district councillors, the police, representatives from the voluntary sector and from Minehead EYE.

Local communities would be able to 'buy' youth workers through the company, with the price covering a package of youth worker time, staff supervision, insurance and CRB clearances, training needs and administration costs.

In addition to West Somerset, the company would provide services in Bridgwater.

Organisers have costed the proposal at just under £148,000 a year and would aim to secure funding from a variety of sources, drawing in national and local grants, commissions and donations.

The proposal is currently out to consultation and Williton Parish Council will be considering it at its meeting in January.

In a letter to the council, Fiona Jolley said: "None of the youth workers want to lose the youth clubs and feel strongly that the county council needs to look at sustainable alternatives.

"As a not for profit community interest company we could offer a comprehensive service with policies and procedures already in place, a payroll system, CRB checks, public liability insurance for staff, health and safety guidance and training for both staff and volunteers."