Concerns have been raised over a decision to hand £50,000 to a teenage councillor to spend on the “youth of Gravesham”.

Jordan Meade was only 19 when he was elected as the borough’s youngest member and within weeks the Tory was handed the budget and given the role of “young person’s champion”.

The same amount was given to an elderly persons’ champion Cllr Bronwen McGarrity (Con).

But Cllr John Burden said there was not enough transparency regarding how the money would be spent and the decision will be discussed at Gravesham council’s overview scrutiny committee meeting on Wednesday night.

Cllr Burden, who represents Northfleet South ward, said: “I went to the cabinet meeting and unusually council money was given without a logic to how it would be used, managed and who would be spending it. It was very clear from the cabinet that none of that had been sorted out.”

The former leader of the council said it was nothing to do with the age of Cllr Meade, who represents Singlewell ward, but more to do a lack of planning for the funds.

He said: “Jordan is probably very competent and has got a very good job working in one of the royal household palaces, but I’m intrigued to find out who is going to be in charge of spending the money.”

Following his appointment as youth tsar, Cllr Meade said he hoped the money would go towards “youth recreational spaces and involving young people “in local governance”.

But both funds concerned Labour. “The other subject is the £50,000 to be spent on the elderly. How do they [the council cabinet] intend to discern who is elderly, will it be people over 55” said Cllr Burden.

“The champion isn’t even a cabinet member so she has no authority to spend that money. So who has?”

Cllr Burden said he was unsure whether the money would be spent fairly across the borough.

He claimed that the Conservative council will look more favourably on people living in the rural areas, than those in the urban parts of the borough.

Rural areas have traditionally been Tory strongholds in Gravesham.

He said: “There’s always been a concern in how much money will be spent in the urban areas compared to the rural areas.

“It’s making sure this money isn’t going to be given away by the council lightly. They’re not looking at where they’re going to get the money from?”

Council leader Cllr John Cubitt, who represents Meopham North, was not concerned about the spending being pulled up at the overview meeting.

He said: “It is quite normal for cabinet decisions to be called in. That is the purpose of overview and scrutiny. I’m sure that appropriate answers will be given at the meeting.”