IT is a pity Councillor Rebecca Blake, on her recent visit to Matchborough, did not think to ask sixth form students about the youth shelter I have proposed for the area.

I may be cynical but is this because she would have to explain how Matchborough was not even on the list for consideration of a youth shelter and is bottom of the heap when it comes to investment?

Instead of just talking about a week-long festival in the far distant future, she could have discussed the long-term proposals for investment in our young people.

My understanding of the Abbey Stadium project is it is by no means a done deal.

While I fully support the festival, I would like to see more investment in opportunities for our young people to meet and spend time in a safe environment.

In Matchborough, we have one youth club run by the church which is bursting at the seams.We have a youth centre at Arrow Vale but it is not open.

Our young people have to go into town if they want to go to a youth club.

The situation is not much better in any other part of Redditch. It is now time to walk the talk and invest in our children.

I would urge those who have an interest in investing in our young people to make their views known to their councillor or write to me at the town hall.

Councillor Juliet Brunner

Conservative Spokesperson for Youth & Culture

Redditch Town Hall