ANGRY staff and teenagers gathered at a council meeting to witness a youth service and at least 160 jobs being scrapped.

Essex County Council’s cabinet agreed at County Hall yesterday, to axe Connexions and its 12 centres around the county.

The move was met with derision by the staff and the opposition leader, who described the move as “misguided, short-sighted and damaging”.

Connexions co-ordinates youth services and supports 13 to 19-year-olds.

However, when the Government withdrew a £7million grant, it led Stephen Castle, councillor responsible for education, to recommend the service be abolished.

He said: “This is one of the most difficult decisions in my experience, but this really is the first of a number of extremely difficult decisions this council is going to have to take.”

Mr Castle said once funding was cut from his budget he decided to prioritise school improvements, meaning cuts had to be found elsewhere.

A skeleton service, including website advice, will continue, but staff face redundancy next year.

Opposition leader Tom Smith-Hughes ridiculed the decision, pointing out the Government was due to start a new careers advice service for all in September and saying experienced members of staff were the ideal candidates.

By then the council will have spent an estimated £4million in redundancy payouts.

Mr Smith-Hughes said: “I do believe this recommendation to be misguided, short sighted and damaging.

“I accept something had to go, but this is a choice being made by the county council.

“The effect on the life-choices of young people will be very damaging.

“Do we really want to spend £4million on redundancy for experienced people who may be needed later on?”

Defending his decision, Mr Castle added: “In reality it is the Government that signalled the direction of travel. Nobody comes into local Government to make cuts of this scale.”

Connexions is a public service for young people bringing together all the key youth support services.

Advice was available on health, money, relationships, citizenship, education, jobs, housing and more.