Island schools changes are backed

There have been protests about school closures

Anglesey councillors have voted in favour of a new set of criteria to decide the future of the island's primary schools.

Under the proposals, schools to be closed would have to fall into at least two categories of the list laid down.

Categories include pupil numbers by 2011 and cost of education per child.

Last year there were protests when the council voted to close Llanddeusant and Aberffraw schools. The decision was overturned after the local elections.

Council leader Phil Fowlie said tough decisions had to be faced.

'Big picture'

"It is more serious than people realise, because at the end of the day it is down to money, and some schools have very low pupil numbers," he said.

"We will now look at this in detail, look at the big picture and then come to a decision," he added.

No schools have yet been named, but some people in areas such as Holyhead - where there are more than 300 empty school primary school places - are concerned.

Councillor John Chorlton, from the town, said there would be a fight if any of the town's schools were chosen.

"We saw what happened last time and this time everyone will come together and speak as one.

"Everyone will be all out to keep all the schools in Holyhead open," he said.

Council officers will now begin a process of consultation with local communities before presenting their decisions to councillors by summer 2010.

The ultimate decision to close any schools will then be taken by the Welsh Assembly Government.