THOUSANDS of angry residents have called on Gwynedd Council to save youth clubs across the county and prevent “utter heartbreak”.

Over 3,000 people have signed a petition and organised protests against the closure of Gwynedd’s 39 youth clubs, many of which are located in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd.

Under plans which were approved earlier this month, the youth clubs will be replaced by a ‘county-wide club’ that the council claim would deliver a wide programme of activities.

The youth clubs are set to close from April with the new youth service starting in September 2018.

The decision has left many in shock with local councils struggling to set up alternatives before the end of the month.

Online signatories of the petition, entitled ‘Cadwch Clybiau ieuectid Gwynedd yn agored! / Keep Gwynedd Youth Clubs open!’, has accused the county council of shortsightedness and suggests locals have been “cheated”.

The petition states: “Cyngor Gwynedd has cheated and betrayed our young people by threatening to close Youth Clubs across the county. These clubs are vital for our young people because they are a place to relax, socialise, discuss problems, and a place for the Welsh Language to be practiced and spoken.”

Porthmadog town councillor Jason Humphreys was proactive in trying to save his community’s youth club after it came to light that the local council had not been informed of the threats to the youth service as Gwynedd Council had sent the information to the wrong email address.

“This day zero approach to youth clubs by Gwynedd Council is reckless, foolish and incompetent,” he said.

“What emerged from a meeting of concerned citizens which I was invited to last week at Y Galeri in Caernarfon was a measured and reasoned call for Gwynedd to delay its implementation for one year so to give clubs and their communities the opportunity to measure the plan’s impact and marshal their resources to meet the shortcomings. No one was arguing that the new plan lacked merit.

“The problem is that for communities across the whole county, it’s being implemented in a way that will sweep aside future opportunities for young people to meet regularly in local, safe and non-authoritarian environments.”

Cllr Humphreys also urged people to attend a public meeting to discuss the future of youth clubs at 10am, 7 April, at Neuadd Goffa Penrhyndeudraeth.

“Gwynedd doesn’t seem to be listening, therefore this forthcoming public meeting in Penrhyndeudraeth needs to become a rally,” he said.

Gwynedd councillor Louise Hughes, who represents Llangelynnin, added: “The decision was taken with no discussion at full council so I was unable to represent my local community on this matter. Feelings are running high but hopefully something positive can be salvaged form this debacle. You can’t just cut a complete service.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson has defended its decision, saying: “Gwynedd Council will establish a new and innovative way of delivering the Youth Service from September 2018 onwards.

"This new way of working will ensure that every young person from 11 to 25 will have access to a range of fun and social opportunities to develop skills, receive health and wellbeing support through the medium of the Welsh language.

“In addition, a specific programme to support young people aged 16 to 25 will also be in place to overcome personal obstacles that could impede them from entering the workplace, training or further education."