A party leader has accused council officers of “trying to stifle debate” amid concerns over the number of empty berths at local marinas.

The management arrangements of the council-run facilities at Pwllheli’s Outer Harbour and Hafan marinas are “under review” after it came to light that there are growing numbers of empty berths at both.

But the leader of the council’s Llais Gwynedd group has raised concerns over a lack of opportunity to debate the issue, after being scuppered in a bid to question decision makers during the last full council meeting.

The authority has already apologised to Cllr Owain Williams for “the administrative oversight” which meant his question did not arrive at the desk of the relevant officer in time to make the agenda for May’s full council meeting.

But, according to Cllr Williams, who represents Clynnog, a planned meeting of group leaders in late April, where he was hoping to raise the issue, was also cancelled.

“Either the council has something to hide or it’s gross incompetence, but either way it’s not good enough,” said Cllr Williams.

“I went to the trouble of taking the letter to Caernarfon myself, in plenty of time I may add, but apparently it didn’t arrive to the correct department in time.

“The dwindling number of berth holders is a big issue in Pwllheli, and it’s a concern that’s certainly shared with the local member, Cllr Hefin Underwood.

“But I fear that we’re not being given a chance to debate this at all as members.

“It all seems to be kept under wraps for whatever reason. At the end of the day, this is Gwynedd council and not the Kremlin.”

The final figures are still being prepared by the authority, but in March it was found that 21 of the 81 available berths at the Outer Harbour had not been taken up for 2018.At Hafan Marina, only 103 of the 409 berths had been taken up.But with a berth costing vessel owners £380 a year per metre, every empty berth represents a loss of income for Gwynedd council.

Cllr Williams added: “We keep being told that the council has to cut services due to a lack of money but, at the end of the day, the buck has to stop somewhere.

“If berth holders are staying away due to issues getting in and out of the marina, then surely it needs to be sorted as a matter of urgency?”

According to Gwynedd council, the business group is an administrative meeting involving the leaders of all political groups in preparation for the meeting of the full council.

“Matters such as requests for information are not considered at this meeting and members have been advised to raise such issues with the relevant department,” said a spokesman.

“The council’s monitoring officer offered an apology to Cllr Williams at the full council meeting on 3 May, because a question the councillor had presented had not been brought to his attention in time to be considered, purely as a result of an administrative oversight.

“The economy and communities department will be providing a response to the information request and of course the member may submit an appropriate question at the next council meeting.”