ONE of Culture and Leisure’s main priorities is youth. We know this because  its minister reminds us of that very fact in the politics column featured in our newspaper today in page 17.

Which is why the other message coming out of the department these days might seem a little worrying.

It’s good to talk, that’s true. And asking islanders for their thoughts on what we need and what they would like to see is a commendable step in the right direction.

But the sticking point – and the thing that creates a slight feeling of unease – looks like being where the cash would come from.

Public funds are tight: we know that, and all departments have had to review their spending in recent years. There’s never enough to go round so some things have to give.

Also no one could argue that Deputy Mike O’Hara isn’t a true cheerleader for the island’s youth: just ask the skateboarders for a start.

Indeed, he continues to pledge that one of his key aims is to provide facilities for our young people, without of course overlooking the needs of the older generation. Looking after our youngsters will help them become better citizens he says. And he’s quite right too.

But relying increasingly on sponsorship could be a worry. Already the pot is over-subscribed, particularly for sport.

Local organisations stump up huge amounts of cash to help fund sports and leisure events from sponsored walks, marathons and tournaments to building first-class sports facilities and funding trips for our athletes.

Some sports insiders worry where it will all end and feel that sport and leisure is always the Cinderella service compared to other departments – when really it deserves so much more. Without sport we would see more health, social and law and order problems. And the reliance on sports volunteers seems to increase every year.

All this and we haven’t even mentioned the  department’s other commitments from museums to Liberation Day. As Guernsey’s shop window it also helps our tourism industry.

Deputy O’Hara should be commended for his stance which, as he admits, could open up a possible can of worms.

Let’s hope the outcome to the feedback proves a positive one: that it brings forward the support the department badly needs, rather than disappointment all round.