SUMMER camps for some of West Dunbartonshire’s most deprived kids have been axed by the council just weeks before the school term finishes. 

The Youth Summer Programme will no longer be offered to around 180 children across the community, due to cost-cutting measures implemented by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC).

Previously, the initiative ran for two weeks in Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven, giving youngsters from poorer parts of the area the chance to enjoy activities such as art classes, as well as trips to M&D's theme park and visits to local attractions. 

Youngsters also received lunch as part of the programme, which helped them to stay safe and steer clear of crime. 

But the programme will not operate this summer, with the council instead announcing plans for this year’s SHINE programme - a £100,000 scheme run in partnership with local groups that has been in operation since 2019. 

Trade unions across the region have slammed the decision and warned the scope of the damage inflicted on the community’s most vulnerable youngsters will be ‘immeasurable.’ 

A spokesperson for the Joint Trade Unions (JTU) told the Clydebank Post: “We are appalled to learn that WDC is not delivering a youth work summer programme this year. The disastrous effect this will have on young people is immeasurable.

“WDJTU has been made aware of this by senior managers from within the Working4U service.

“Management has also confirmed that this is the first time since the youth work services team transferred to Working4U that a summer programme has not been part of the council’s youth work offer.

“WDC has a well-established, long and proud history of delivering youth work programmes, especially over the summer period when vulnerable young people are often isolated for a variety of reasons.

“Committed WDC staff go over and above for the youth of our shire, delivering on key objectives such as assisting with holiday hunger initiatives.

“As foodbank referrals already swell, the pressure on other local support services will increase as hundreds of local young people will now be going without this vital programme of diversionary and educational activities.”

However, council chiefs defended the move, insisting that activities lost through the Youth Summer Programme will be picked up by the SHINE scheme, which sees more than 20 organisations run activities for local youngsters.

A spokesperson said: “The council has committed to investing an additional £400,000 over the next four years to ensure local children have opportunities to participate in a range of free activities during the summer break.

“External funding used to provide the Youth Summer Programme finished in 2022 and similar activities will be provided through the council's Summer SHINE 23 programme.

“The SHINE programme will see 22 local organisations, including the Youth Alliance, delivering activities on behalf of the council, including sports, games, arts and crafts, theatrical classes and cinema screenings, balloon modelling and face painting, dancing and electronic gaming events.

“The programme will also help reduce holiday hunger by providing a snack and lunch to attendees at most events.”