EAST RIDING – A senior East Riding councillor has challenged a claim made by a fellow councillor over funding for youth projects, calling for a clearer picture of how the money was actually secured.
Councillor Victoria Aitken has written to Hull Daily Mail to request a correction to an article published on 12th February 2025, titled “Ward Councillor Secures £150k for Youth Provision Funding.” The article suggested that Councillor Tony Henderson was responsible for securing the full amount, but Aitken argues that isn’t quite the full story.
She pointed out that while Henderson, a Liberal Democrat, did propose £75,000 for the Beverley Cherry Tree Project during the East Riding Council’s budget discussions in January, the final £150,000 pot for youth projects across the county was actually the result of a broader, cross-party decision. Aitken says that Council Leader Anne Handley, along with her Cabinet and other group leaders, played a key role in increasing the funding to benefit more community groups.
“It’s important to make sure the facts are right so that the public understands how these decisions are made,” Aitken said in her letter to the paper. She also stressed that teamwork played a major role in securing the funding and that credit should be shared.
Councillor Handley has also spoken about the importance of the scheme, saying: “Young people are our future, and we have so many incredible youngsters with endless potential. We are thrilled to support the development of projects that provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, participate in positive activities, and strengthen their ties to the community.”
The £150,000 funding pot will be open to community groups across the East Riding, giving them a chance to apply for support aimed at helping young people thrive. A fund is expected to be launched soon to invite bids from groups working on youth-focused projects.
This dispute highlights the importance of transparency in local government and how political parties work together—sometimes with a little friction—to get things done for their communities.