A YOUTH centre looks set to stay open for now after the company which provides vital funding was saved from going into administration.

Earlier this month it was feared that Connexions could go into administration as soon as March if it’s three funding councils did not meet the costs of the cuts they imposed – including 90 redundancy packages.

However, after a meeting on Tuesday, February 15, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East and Warrington Borough Councils agreed in principle to meet all costs relating to the restructuring of Connexions in Cheshire and Warrington.

New Images Youth centre, in Nixon Drive, is provided and paid for by Connexions and is used by more than 100 youngters in the area.

Mike Kennedy, chairman of the New Images action group, said: “It is excellent news for New Images in the short term.

“Obviously there will be a lot of reconstruction and how they are going to downsize Connexions, I just don’t know.

“However, there is no immediate panic for us now.

“We have what we believe to be a year’s respite to fire up any bids for the centre.”

Cheshire West and Chester council says it will be working closely with the board of Connexions to determine the future of its services in the area - which also include high street branches offering careers advice and support for young people.

In January, 400 Connexions staff were issued with ‘at risk’ redundancy notices and told to prepare for closure.

A spokesman for the three authorities said: “At a meeting of the Board constructive discussions took place around the best approaches to re-shaping the company so that it can meet the differing requirements of the three Councils.

“The partners have agreed, in principle, to meet all costs relating to the re-structuring of the company, including redundancies, should they occur.

“Details of the agreement continue to be discussed between the Board and the partner local authorities.”