Local Labour politicians have expressed their support for the new 'Save Shavington Youth Club' campaign, launched earlier this week by Crewe & Nantwich Constituency MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, but have criticised the MP for attempting to switch the blame for the building's dilapidation from Government underfunding onto the Labour-led Cheshire East Council.

They have also drawn a distinction between the two separate aims of re-establishing the youth club previously based at 140 Main Road, Shavington and the need to preserve and restore the historical building located at that address.

Dr Mullan's campaign focuses on bringing parish council members, Cheshire East and youth club representatives together to agree a way forward which gets the building repaired and back into active use.

Cheshire East councillor James Barber, who is the borough's first ever Champion for Young People, commented: "I wholeheartedly welcome any campaign to support Shavington Youth Club, which is a vital resource for young people in the area.

"However, I'm disappointed to see the MP for Crewe and Nantwich, Dr Kieran Mullan, shifting all blame onto Labour-led Cheshire East.

"As Dr Mullan is well aware, YMCA research has found that spending on youth services has been decimated since 2010, with crippling austerity measures leading to a £737million (62%) decrease in funding from the Government.

"Furthermore, between 2012 and 2016, over 600 youth clubs closed.

"As Cheshire East Council is, in itself, struggling financially due to inadequate funding to Local Government, it would be helpful if Dr Mullan would focus his campaign on securing more funding for Local Government and youth services on the whole, rather than scapegoat the Council.

"In the meantime, if Dr Mullan would like my support in a non-partisan campaign to secure more funding for youth services, he need only get in touch with me."

Previous chair and current trustee of Shavington Youth Club, Linda Buchanan, added: "There are two issues here. One is re-establishing the youth club, and the other is protecting 140 Main Road from demolition.

"To re-establish the youth club, it will certainly be necessary to ensure central government funds youth services properly.

"If the youth club is to return to 140 Main Road, the charity should no longer be responsible for the building.

"If the building is to remain as a community asset it needs to be run by a management committee with the time and resources to establish a vibrant community hub.

"For now, the youth club could potentially be relocated to one of the churches, the village hall or the primary school, if these venues are agreeable and suitable.

"In either scenario, I will happily work with Dr Mullan to campaign to save the youth club and put pressure on government to reverse the drastic cuts in youth services.

"In the meantime, it is vitally important that the building at 140 Main Road is not demolished as it is a significant Victorian structure that is part of the fabric of the community, it adds cultural and historical value to the community of Shavington.

"Dr Mullan is correct when he points out that past and present administrations have found it difficult to maintain the building, but this is a direct consequence of national cuts to local authorities, and this is what needs to be addressed rather than blaming Cheshire East.

"I think we are all aware that Cheshire East cannot, in the current climate, spend huge amounts of taxpayer's money on restoring a building that has suffered decades of neglect.

"However, I do believe that Cheshire East has a responsibility to preserve 140 Main Road. Historic buildings help to keep communities like Shavington beautiful, vibrant and give residents a stake in their surroundings.

"They connect people within Shavington, and with one another. A community's historic sites foster an individual's sense of belonging and community pride, and Cheshire East needs to recognise this and protect the building from any threat of demolition."

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: "The Council does engage with town and parish councils, as well as community organisations, around the potential transfer of council-owned assets for which those organisations may wish to hold responsibility in future.

"The council welcomes applications for asset transfers and its updated asset transfer framework will be put before the economy and growth committee on the 15 July, seeking endorsement and approval of further consultation.

"The Shavington Youth Centre does require significant investment and options around this are being explored with Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council with support from Cheshire East Council's communities team.