Car parking charges at five sites on Anglesey

ON February 29 2012, Sami Owen realised her dream of opening a new nursery in Star.

Four years, and another leap year later, her business took a major step forward with the move to new premises in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.

A large crowd cheered as the ribbon on the new Meithrinfa Bach Hapus front door was cut by Ynys Môn CHARGES could be introduced in a matter of months at five currently free Anglesey car parks.

The council needs to find savings worth nearly £3m by the start of the next financial year.

They have proposed new car park charges as a way to generate £30,000, among other cost-cutting measures.

The idea will be recommended by Anglesey’s executive committee along with increasing the cost of primary school lunches to £2.10, scrapping free bulky waste collection, and cutting the budget of Visit Anglesey.

The proposed measures will then be voted on by the full council at a later date.

Council leader Ieuan Williams said other cuts are on the agenda, along with a 3.5% rise in council tax

More than 30 council jobs have been scrapped through voluntary redundancy, despite the authority’s financial settlement from the Welsh Government being higher than expected.

Cllr Williams said: “We were planning for a 4% cut, but it now looks as though it will be 2%.

“Obviously, it is still hard work to prtoect frontline services, but we have been able to save most services.

“We’ve managed to make up the shortfall with lots of little savings. There are no big cuts.”

Parking charges are going to be introduced at: Gwelfor, Cemaes Rhosneigr Porth Swtan Rhoscolyn AM Rhun ap Iorwerth on Saturday, helped by Sami’s son Finlay.

Rhun said: “Sami has done a fantastic job, and the smiles on everyone’s faces – from staff to parents and their children – said it all. Meithrinfa Bach Hapus provides an important service to the area, and I wish them all the very best in their new home.”

Llanfairpwll “Park and Share” . car park (the first 24 hours will remain free, but a charge will be introduced for stays longer than 24 hours)

Cllr Williams said: “We have made a lot of savings by trimming out redundant parts of the budget, parts that simply are not valid any more but have not been streamlined.”

He said the cut to tourism body Visit Anglesey was “small”, but it “could be 20% to 60% over the next few years”.

The executive will also consider forcing holiday home owners to pay double council tax.

In 2011, figures show 10% of the homes on the island had no permanent residents.

Last year, the council considered the same proposal, which garnered much public support, but did not pursue it.