AN OPPOSITION councillor incensed by a decision to shut youth clubs has called Gwynedd council’s Cabinet system “undemocratic”.

Gwynedd’s Cabinet set up a one-off fund worth £50,000 last week to support town and community councils who want to continue running their own local clubs.

This was in response to severe local criticism following the decision to shut all 39 of the county’s traditional youth clubs in a bid to save £270,000, replacing them with a county-wide, year round offering.

However, Llais Gwynedd councillor, Alwyn Gruffydd, has slammed the Plaid Cymru Cabinet for “not listening” to the public’s concerns, despite the decision having been batted back to the Cabinet following a motion he successfully proposed at May’s full council meeting.

According to Cllr Gruffydd, who described the fund as “a sweetener”, there is no promise of any funding for town councils after April 2019, which means they would have to increase the precept and local residents’ council tax bills.

Cllr Gruffydd said: “I’m very disappointed that the Cabinet system, as it is now, places too much power in the hands of 12 councillors, its not democratic.”

Under the previous system, members from all political colours held senior positions on the council board, whichever group or party held a working majority.

But since the 2012 local election, any party or group that holds an overall majority also possesses all the posts on the decision-making Cabinet.

Cllr Gruffydd added: “I don’t feel that the points that were debated in May’s full council meeting were given valid credence at all, the plans are going ahead pretty much unchanged.

“Areas like Porthmadog contribute hundreds of thousands of pounds a year in parking and licensing fees etc, but yet again the burden falls on town and community councils that have no means of funding such initiatives.

“At the end of the day, funding Gwynedd’s youth clubs should be the responsibility of the county council.

“I feel very strongly that the Cabinet system is unfair by its vary nature and there’s a distinct lack of accountability.”

In response, Cabinet member for Youth Services, Cllr Craig ab Iago said: “All the points raised by councillors regarding the modernisation of the Gwynedd Youth Service were considered in detail by the Cabinet yesterday.

“I’m pleased that the Cabinet fully supported a proposal to set aside money in a bridging fund to support any town or community council where there is a local desire to continue to run a traditional youth club alongside our new county-wide Youth Service.

“A number of communities have indicated that this is something that they wish to consider, and we now have a fund in place to help them overcome any financial issues.”

He added: “The bridging fund, and our commitment to continuing to discuss opportunities with the Urdd and the Young Farmers, all clearly show that we are listening and are responding positively to the points raised.

“And I hope that we can all now move ahead to develop the best possible Youth Service for all the young people of Gwynedd.

“Without a doubt the new service will offer young people a range of opportunities that simply were not there under the old September to April club-based Youth Service.

“For example, this summer the service will be offering a range of activities across the county including cycling schemes, young people’s forums, local environmental projects and various outdoor activities.”