Concerns have been raised that “undemocratic” moves to establish regional public bodies will “diminish accountability” and lead to less autonomy for elected councillors.

The Welsh Government is set to create four regional bodies known as Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) that would cover the north, mid, south-east and south-west regions of the country.

While the leaders of each local authority would sit on the relevant body, opposition has been raised by members of Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet.

In the case of the north of Wales, the body would be made up of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire local authorities as well as the Snowdonia National Park Authority.

CJCs would be legal entities in their own right, employing staff, co-opting members and having their own budget while working on fields including transport and promoting the economic well-being of their areas via new strategic development plans.

But while Gwynedd is working with neighbouring authorities, and specifically Anglesey in several areas including sharing a local development plan for planning matters, the mandation from Cardiff Bay to work regionally was attacked by members of the Cabinet.

“I have no enthusiasm for this at all to be honest,” said Cllr Nia Jeffreys.

“This is being forced upon us from Cardiff and I feel it’s totally undemocratic and represents a lack of accountability.”

Economic development portfolio holder, Cllr Gareth Thomas, added: “As an authority we have always had a firm grasp on our finances but this body will be able to able to place financial demands on us without necessarily providing time to adapt.

“We have seen massive cuts in our budget and now this being imposed on us. I can’t believe it.”

Cllr Craig ab Iago added: “We know the problems facing Gwynedd but is often frustrating that we don’t always have the powers.

“What we need is the government to devolve powers to us and let us do it, but instead they’re creating a new structure the public don’t want and will be seen as just another carriage on the gravy train, taking the power even further away from the people.

“It’s not democratic at all, just making it harder for us and keeping powers in the hands of the Labour party.”

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James, said the measures would bring benefits for communities across the country.

She said: “Collaboration has been a key feature of the Covid-19 response and it will also be key to our recovery.

“As part of this approach I wish to bring more coherence to, and strip out some of the complexity of, regional governance arrangements – strengthening local democratic accountability by ensuring that it is local elected members making decisions together about local government services, for the benefit of their citizens and communities.

“The model of corporate joint committees builds on the best that has already been achieved in the development of regional arrangements in different parts of Wales.”

The consultation on the governance arrangements of the CJCs - which could be implemented as early as April 2021 – runs until January 4.

Cabinet members voted to respond to the consultation with its reservations.