ALL youth clubs in Gwynedd could be axed as the council tries to save about £270,000 from its budget.

The county council wants to shut all 39 youth clubs and replace them with a county-wide club delivering a programme of activities.

Gwynedd Council launched a six -week consultation into its plans on Monday.

The clubs, staffed by 142 youth workers, are held in communities on various nights of the week across Dwyfor and Meirionnydd.

A report, rubber stamped by the local authority last month, warned the current service was “not an option for the future” with the service needing £270,000 of cuts.

If the changes go-ahead, all of Gwynedd’s youth clubs would close and be replaced with a county-wide club for 11 to 19-year-olds and a youth worker attached to every secondary school.

Personal support would also be given to 16 to 25-year-olds who are facing barriers to education, training or work.

A third sector party would also be commissioned to deliver specific needs.

A report to the council warned removing the clubs from the communities would have a “negative impact” on young people, but that this could be mitigated.

Cllr Craig ab Iago, Gwynedd Council Cabinet member with responsibility for the youth service, said: “There are three main things that have driven this work – the changing expectations amongst younger people, less money available to the council, and changes to government policy in terms of what provisions are needed by young people.

“I accept that any form of change is difficult, but we cannot continue to do the same thing year in year out if the service does not meet the needs of young people.

“Like many other public services, the council faces a difficult financial situation.

“We presently support 39 traditional youth clubs in communities across the county, as well as providing annual grants to the Urdd, Eryri YFC, Meirionnydd YFC, and the Guides and Scouts at a cost of £995,300 a year.

“But because of significant cuts to public services by the Westminster Government over recent years, we will have £270,000 less to spend in these specific areas.

“This is why change is inevitable and we would encourage everybody who has an interest in this area – young people, their families, people who deal with youth organisations and others – to have their say in the consultation.”

The consultation will run until 22 December.