A YOUTH representative has criticised the town council for being "out of touch" with young people after further talks over the relocation of the town's skatepark. Ian Dowdle, a member of the Whitehill and Bordon Youth Umbrella Group, said the council needed to "begin a dialogue with young people" after its second meeting with the Skatepark Users Group (SUG) ended in what he said was stalemate. He also slammed Whitehill Town Council for not addressing complaints from young skaters of alleged bullying and intimidation by soldiers, even after a youth worker in the town told them she had seen this happening. Members of SUG told a meeting of the full council in mid December that youngsters were either frightened away from the ramps in Budds Lane, Bordon, by soldiers, or feared injuring themselves on broken glass or as a result of poor lighting. SUG spokesman Simon Farmer said the group was considering applying for a grant from the district council's Youth Opportunities Fund. It would seek to use the money to build a new skatepark on the town council-owned Mill Chase Recreation Ground, in Bordon, arguing users would be safer there and have access to toilets in the pavilion as well as the youth centre at Mill Chase College. The Youth Umbrella Group has been asking the town council to consider the move since July 2006, but was told it would not happen due to the cost and the fact that the lease on the current site runs until October 2008. Bordon Garrison has always insisted the skatepark is "out of bounds to military personnel" and no bullying has occurred. At police-liaison meeting in January, officers backed plans to move the skatepark to the recreation ground, which is on a police-patrol route, has CCTV cameras and better lighting . At a second meeting of SUG and the town council two weeks ago, councillors raised concerns over the cost, a possible lack of space on the recreation ground and the effect a skatepark would have on drainange. Mr Dowdle said the SUG would not seek any money from the council to buy or install new equipment, although he admitted it "may make a request for assistance in maintaining the equipment". Town council chairman Don Mayes said: "The views of people who live locally must be sought." He added: "What will the cost be? How will that cost be met, and where would the skatepark go on the recreation ground? I'm not adverse to investigating further, but I don't think we are in a position to make a decision tonight." He urged SUG to put together a formal proposal with details of the items they want installed with projected dimensions, usage and costs.