COUNCILLORS will hear from youth group bosses about the potential to create a youth zone in Colchester.

Colchester Council’s policy and public initiatives panel will hear from representatives at OnSide on Wednesday.

The charity creates safe spaces for youngsters to socialise and get support with employment and mental health.

Jamie Masraff, director of operations for OnSide Youth Zones and charity chief executive Gavin Evans will give the presentation.

The panel will be asked to consider the potential benefits and costs of participating in a youth zone scheme.

The idea was recommended for review by the panel at its meeting in June and was approved by the cabinet in July.

A report on the agenda said: “Feasibility studies into youth service provision are to be carried out by the council with completion expected in 2020.

“Youth Zones are sporting and social centres for young people, delivered by local authorities in partnership with the charity OnSide and with additional funding provided from private sector donors.

“They represent one option for local authorities that wish to increase provision of services to young people.”

OnSide is a national network of independent youth charities.

A youth zone provides state-of-the-art facilities for sports, music, arts and recreational activities.

Staff work with police, health professionals, charities for people with disabilities and even talent matchers to help young people find jobs.

The youth zones are open seven nights a week for children between eight and 19-years-old.

It costs 50p per visit or £5 for a year subscription.

OnSide contributes half of the captial required to set up a youth zone.

The report said the benefits include: “Raising more than £20 million over the next ten years for the benefit of local young people.

“Generating a membership of more than 4,000 young people, many from the most deprived communities that are not reached by current services.

“Creating 50 jobs and more than 100 active volunteers, providing a neutral space for young people from all areas and backgrounds, significantly reducing anti-social behaviour providing a platform for the community to work together.”