A STRUGGLING youth scheme is to be offered the services of a consultant to improve the way it is run.

Ryedale Child and Youth Projects (RCYP) had asked the district council for £15,000 to help pay running costs of its office and the wage of an administrative assistant.

However, the council has recommended that funding should be provided for a consultant to work with the organisation to improve its financial capabilities.

The scheme operates youth clubs, sports and arts nights across Ryedale.

In September, project manager Andy Brown warned RCYP may have to close after the council refused an application for a £20,000 grant. Further match funding was then lost. The authority has now recommended that funding should be supplied for the consultant.

Acting cultural services manager Sarah Ward warned that if the £15,000 was provided, the money may turn into core funding, which would only provide a "band-aid" solution.

She said: "Development of this organisation should enable it to be well placed to continue its good track record of delivering a range of services for young people, and to act in response to recent and future legislation for children and young people."

The council's community services and licensing committee will discuss the application on Thursday.