COMMUNITY councils are often described as being the grassroots of local democracy.

They consist of a handful of volunteers giving up their free time with the aim of doing good for their town or village.

But in Gorseinon, frustrated residents have threatened to disband the town council unless its under-fire mayor stands down.

Ratepayers are furious the group spent more than £4,000 on a community dinner, just weeks after saying it could not give grant funding to a number of local groups.

Town resident and former mayor Eric Davies presented a petition of 596 signatures calling for council chair Victor Bruno to stand down.

He said: "Either you take on board what is being said or you leave us with no option but to call a public meeting in favour of winding the council up.

"You are supposed to listen to the people."

With the row rumbling on many townsfolk have now started to question whether community councils are worth the hassle — and the expense.

As many taxpayers are aware, community councils are funded via a proportion of council tax — something known as the precept.

Earlier this year, Gorseinon Town Council came under scrutiny after mayor Mr Bruno proposed a sharp rise in the precept.

He insisted the money would be re-invested solely in the town — and "all for the price of an extra loaf of bread" per week.

But taxpayers faced with already rising utilities and fuel bills, were furious.

And although the proposal was eventually defeated it still stuck in the minds of voters when the row over Mr Bruno's mayoral dinner erupted.

This week it was revealed that the bill for the awards evening, which featured a magician, a dozen bouquets of flowers and a harpist — came to £3,918 plus VAT.

Mr Bruno tried to silence residents, who he said were "rabble rousing", but was met with heckles and jeers.

Councillor Janet Curtice said the ensuing row had made a "laughing stock of the council".

Town resident John Evans, aged 54, said the saga had left him wondering what was the point in the local group.

He said: "It's not like they have any real power. I don't see the point in any community councils to be honest."

There are more than 730 community councils across Wales, covering a huge range of communities from small rural villages to suburbs and busy towns.

One individual who has more of a unique perspective of them is retired policeman William Evans.

Mr Evans has been a member of Llwchwr Town Council since 2000 — and is also a county councillor in Swansea.

He said: "Community councils come in for a bit of flak sometimes, but they are underrated.

"In my experience, the community council has its finger on the pulse. And it is a vital source of funding for many local groups, who often struggle to obtain grants from other sources."

Community councils have also been a good tool for local police officers.

As well as informing councillors about recent operations and crime levels, officers will often gain intelligence from meetings — finding out what issues there might be ongoing or building up a contact base for future events.

And the councils can also be useful for journalists — providing them with a stream of stories from big to small as well as being able to keep its readers informed.

Welsh AM Brian Gibbons has also spoken out in support of the valuable role small local councils play in their communities.

He said: "Local councils can help with community mapping — assisting local authorities to build up a more detailed picture of who lives in the community their concerns."

But despite their useful role, voters can become disillusioned with community councils.

In October 2006, Dunvant Community Council was disbanded by popular vote following long-running, and occasionally bitter, rows.

ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk