MUNDARING councillors have called for more information before awarding a multimillion dollar contract for youth services.
Councillors knocked back a recommendation to award the $216,200 three-year contract to MercyCare at this week’s council meeting, favouring an alternative proposal from Cr Jason Russell.
The youngest member of the council asked chief executive officer Jonathan Throssell to outline in a report how the endorsed youth model would be provided, with options to minimise staffing and administration costs.
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READ NOWHe also suggested the Shire report on the establishment of a youth service committee to seek community input on youth services on an on-going basis.
Cr Russell (20) championed a contemporary youth service for the Shire as part of his election campaign last year.
“I believe council is responding to the community’s desire for value-for-money and high quality service delivery,” he said.
“By commissioning a report into a youth advisory committee (YAC), council is taking a major step in the right direction.”
Shire President John Daw supported Cr Russell’s call for a modern-day youth service.
“It is fantastic to have our most youthful council member leading on youth services for the Shire and setting a very high standard of debate and convincing council to pause and reassess its priorities for youth service delivery by the Shire,” he said.
Community consultation on youth services last year showed support for improved access to youth services in areas closer to Mundaring and in the outer eastern suburbs.
Whitelion Youth Agency and Rise also submitted tenders to operate the Shire’s youth services.
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