RECOMMENDATIONS have been made for boosting the income of the outdoor education service in North Yorkshire.

The young people scrutiny committee launched a review of the service, which runs centres offering learning sessions in sports such as canoeing, archery, dry slope skiing, hill walking, orienteering and sailing.

The committee concluded that, although the service was highly valued and well supported by headteachers, school governors, young people and parents, it was facing financial issues that needed action if it was to avoid incurring a deficit within the next two years.

The county council's contribution to the service in 2006-2007 was £859,000 but this fell to £778,000 this year and will reduce to £728,000 next year. The service also receives income from schools and from activities unconnected with education.

After consulting staff at the centres, the committee has produced a number of recommendations to increase the efficiency of the service and boost income.

They include a more centralised approach to administration issues, measures to ensure that accommodation is used as much as possible at weekends, out-of-term time and during the day, when residential courses are out on activities, and upgraded accommodation.