A row has erupted over how £200,000 restored to a youth service will be spent.

The council funding was returned to Brighton and Hove’s Connexions service after opposition political parties united to block the Tory administration’s planned cuts.

Now Labour and Green councillors have urged the cabinet to ensure jobs are protected.

Green Party convenor Bill Randall said: “It is unclear what the Tories plan to do with the money. I support the Connexions workers’ view that it should used to protect the service and keep in post all the 16 staff members who will shortly be competing for the 12.5 jobs that are left.”

Labour leader Gill Mitchell said: “Taking this step could save the council some of the redundancy payments it will have to make, if more staff members lose their jobs.”

But cabinet member for children and young people, Vanessa Brown insisted the money would save jobs.

She said “We are using it to enable the two voluntary sector providers of Connexions services - Sussex Central YMCA and Impact Initiatives - to employ 3.8 workers until December. At this point we will know the outcome of our review of Youth Services which we will use, along with any new guidance from Government on the All Age Careers Service, to inform our future commissioning of support for young people in the city.”