CHILDREN'S champions have welcomed council plans to secure the future of York's youth clubs.

Councillors were today expected to meet to approve a scheme to lease youth centres at Poppleton and Burnholme to community groups.

Under the proposals, the Poppleton Community Trust would take over the running of the council's Poppleton Youth Centre, while the Burnholme Youth Centre would be transferred to Hemplands Kids Club.

In both cases, the groups will be offered a 99-year-lease for a peppercorn rent, as well as thousands of pounds of grants to carry out much-needed repair and maintenance work.

Jo Collingbourne, Hemplands Kids Club co-ordinator, said: "This September was our tenth anniversary, and this plan would be a great way to celebrate the club's first decade.

"We provide art, sport and day trips for primary school-age children. Parents say the services we offer are indispensable, and I know they will be very pleased if this goes ahead.

"It's great news for them and it's great news for us."

City of York Council is trying to "rationalise" its portfolio of buildings for youth services. In a report, officers said many of the council's buildings were "of a poor standard, unattractive to young people, and some are unfit for purpose".

Leasing them to community groups would free up much-needed resources and encourage other community groups to step forward and offer similar services.

The council has already entered into a lease with community groups in Haxby and Wigginton at Oaken Grove.

According to the Poppleton and Burnholme plans, £72,700 would also be set aside for maintenance work, and a further £48,300 spent on bringing the buildings up to the standard required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This work would take place prior to the handover.

Poppleton Youth Centre shares grounds with Poppleton Ousebank Primary School, and the building requires significant repair work.

Burnholme Youth Centre, meanwhile, is based at Burnholme Community College, and also needs work to bring it up to a modern standard. The Hemplands Kids Club has been based there for ten years.

Updated: 10:39 Monday, November 21, 2005