The 23rd Camberwell Scout Group are under threat. Apparently in 2003 their rent was increased to £7,000 and after all these years they’ve amassed debts to the council of £23,000. With circa 100 scouts this rent level without support was always going to be a challenge.

I regret that when the Lib Dems led the council we had to charge a market rent as councils are required to BUT that we also didn’t provide a yearly Youth grant to such an important Youth organisation to cover that rent. We can’t expect Camberwell kids to pay £70 a year just to cover the rent let alone further money for the up keep of the building and for activities.

I hope the now Labour administration does now agree to provide some Youth funding which would cover the rent paid to the council and that this provides the essential lifeline this group needs to keep running.