COMMUNITY leaders in Porthmadog have slammed a decision to relocate more jobs from the town.

At the beginning of December Canllaw Cyf announced they would be closing their Gofal a Thrwsio office situated in Penamser Business Park, and will be relocating its 12 members of staff to a central office in Bangor. Its office in Llangefni was also part of the closure.

The office, which has now closed, offered practical advice and assistance to people over 60 years of age and people with disabilities to repair and adapt their home so that they may live in comfort and safety.

Canllaw says its decision to close the Porthmadog office is due to administration costs but the news came as a blow to the town after an announcement from HMRC that it would also be closing its only Welsh language office at Ty Moelwyn.

Porthmadog town councillors say they are furious with the decision and are concerned for the future economy of the town.

Cllr Alwyn Gruffydd said he was bitterly disappointed with the decision to close the Gofal a Thrwsio office.

He said: “This is another blow for the town and it’s sad that those jobs have been relocated because the Welsh Government won’t provide funding to keep the office open in Porthmadog and the government seem to want to centralise everything in Bangor.

“Yet again we are losing good jobs in the town and also services.

“I believe there will be hot desks in Pwllheli and Blaenau Ffestiniog but I wonder how effective they will be?

“These types of decisions that are being made by the government are hurting our economy and we keep losing jobs in the process.

“This business of centralising everything is just getting worse, it’s just not acceptable.”

Cllr Gruffydd wants to contact First Minister, Carwyn Jones, to voice the town’s disappointment with this decision, and colleagues agreed.

Following the announcement of the closure, V Wynne Williams, the chairman of Canllaw, said: “After lengthy discussions by the board to improve the service we provide during a period of reduced funding, tough decisions had to be made.

“Several factors were considered, chief among them becoming a more dynamic and responsive company.”

Mr Williams added: “The relocation of staff from our Llangefni and Porthmadog offices to a central location was agreed after lengthy discussions with staff at both offices.

“We are confident that the changes we have made to our locations will satisfy both our staff and valued clients.”