THE closure of an Anglesey primary school has been rubber stamped by councillors.

Ysgol Talwrn currently has 43 pupils on the books, close to its capacity of 49, but officers recommended that it should shut and have its pupils moved 1.8 miles to an extended Ysgol y Graig in Llangefni. Members of the executive voted on Monday in favour of its closure, which will lead to a new £4.8m block being built at Ysgol y Graig.

A decision on closing the school had been expected in March, but was delayed at the 11th hour due to an administrative technicality to allow for a third consultation. The closure of Talwrn comes despite local concerns the school was being sacrificed to meet a problem in neighbouring Llangefni, where both primary schools are currently full. A recent report found that, by 2024, Ysgol y Graig will need room for 435 pupils, and the school is currently at its capacity of 330.

Education portfolio holder cllr Meirion Jones accepted the contentious nature of the plans and acknowledged the difficulties in meeting increasing budget challenges, but was adamant that “doing nothing is not an option”.

He noted education makes up around 40% of council expenditure but faces cuts of around £5.2m over next three years. He added: “Most schools were established 150 years ago But times have changed and we have to adapt, just like children are able to adapt. It’s people that make communities, not buildings.”