COUNCIL officers are baffled by a drop in satisfaction levels for youngsters' leisure activities.

Leisure chiefs admitted they were "puzzled" by criticism in a customer survey, because the number of activities for teenagers had risen.

The meagre 18 per cent satisfaction rating is part of a review of leisure and heritage services provided by City of York Council.

Margi Charlson, education performance information officer at the council, said the criticism could be down to concerns about young thugs.

She states in the report: "There has recently been a preoccupation, both nationally and locally, with anti-social behaviour by young people, much of which is sometimes attributed to the lack of anything better to do."

Executive member Councillor Keith Orrell said the council spent £20,000 last year and had set aside £60,000 this year to fund summer programmes in an effort to limit anti-social behaviour.

"Activities are expanding all the time," he said.

Although not all targets have been met, the report reveals a "clear upward trend" in the number of people being reached by council leisure activities.

Trends highlighted include a "significant" leap in the number of youngsters and community groups taking part in school holiday activities.

A total of 24,558 teenagers attended, easily topping the target of 16,170.

There was also an increase in visitors to libraries, museums and galleries and a growth in the number of community arts events.

But the report says fewer youngsters are attending city performing arts centres, and readers at the city archive "continue to decline".

This slump is "endemic", the council states, and more imaginative ways need to be found to capitalise on the current enthusiasm for local history and research.

The report, which outlines last year's performance results for council leisure services, is due to be discussed by the leisure and heritage executive members on Monday.

Updated: 09:58 Saturday, May 15, 2004