War in Ukraine and Queen’s death blamed for Anglesey school merger delays

The conflict in Ukraine, archaeological work and the death of the Queen have all helped “push back” the date for the merger of two Anglesey council schools.

The issues were detailed as Anglesey County Council’s executive met to discuss plans to increase of capacity of Ysgol Y Graig in Llangefni, following the intended closure of Ysgol Talwrn.

Members of the executive were asked to back a report by the director of education, skills and young people, on Tuesday.

They agreed that the original implementation date of the statutory notice relating to the school rearrangement of September 1, 2023, should be extended for 12 months.

The proposals will see Ysgol Talwrn pupils moved to Ysgol Y Graig, a Welsh medium community school for children aged 3 – 11, where an extension is being built.

Deputy council leader Ieuan Williams, portfolio holder for education and Welsh language, told the meeting a number of factors had delayed the plans.

They included the land purchase for the school extension taking longer than expected, while planning permission was not received until July 6, 2022.

Last year’s local elections also added a further six weeks to the process because of the pre-election period, with the report also noting the impact of the conflict in Ukraine.

Cllr Williams said: “After the prospective project went out to tender in February 2022, bids were withdrawn because the costs of goods were increasing due to the war in Ukraine.”

The council had had to go out to tender again following the end of the election period and the situation was further held up by a planning requirement for archaeological work to be carried out at the site.

Cllr Williams said: “This was added to the timeline, and then the start date of the archaeological work, was then pushed back almost two weeks, due to the Queen’s death.”

Officers will now notify relevant parties of the decision to defer the implementation date of the proposals.

By Dale Spridgeon – Local Democracy Reporter