Customs site bid rejection ‘kick in teeth’ for show society:

OPPOSITION councillors plan to “call in” a decision to reject a HGV customs facility near Anglesey’s showground, describing it as a “kick in the teeth” for show organisers.

Last Monday saw the council Executive unanimously refuse to amend the lease conditions to allow up to 100 lorries and customs offices on land currently used by the Anglesey Agricultural Society at Mona as a park and ride facility.

Stressing that it was council land and should not be sub-leased, “defeating the purpose” for why the peppercorn lease was first granted, the authority has suggested other “more suitable” sites.

Also critical of the UK Government’s handling, the main area of concern was the resulting traffic impact on villages such as Gwalchmai as HGVs came on and off the A55 for inspection en-route to Ireland via Holyhead Port.

But members of the main opposition group said they will “call-in”the decision, sparking a full council meeting to ratify the Executive’s stance.

Cllr Peter Rogers, himself farmer, said there was “a mood of real anger” among the Annibynnwyr Mon group.

“This decision would have been an opportunity to allow the society to generate some urgently needed revenue,” he said.

“The ongoing success of this show has been brought about, through vision and sheer hard work and commitment by its board and supported by a huge band of volunteers.

“The executive must be completely ignorant of the tremendous economic benefits the show brings to the island, which will cease to be viable without revenue.

“As a group we’ll challenge this decision, highlighting which councillors are prepared to make irrational decisions without realising the consequences.”

Last week a spokesperson for the Anglesey Agricultural Society said that such an agreement with HMRC could have financially safeguarded the show’s future after this year’s cancellation due a to Covid-19,

55,000 people.

“The society would have welcomed negotiations with the council to agree on the terms, and would have worked collaboratively to work through any issues including the traffic through Gwalchmai,” they said in a statement, noting the approach from HMRC in April and consultation with Anglesey Council.

The island’s MP last week also expressed “disappointment” that the inspection site had been rejected, having spoken with Cabinet Office officials.

Virginia Crosbie said: “I visited the proposed site during the summer and understand that discussions had been under way for some time.

“It is disappointing that the Council were unable to make a decision earlier on the proposal, and urge the Council to work with the UK Government to identify an alternative site as a matter of urgency.”

But sparking a robust response from the council leader, Cllr Llinos Medi said which typically attracts that while finding a site was vital, Mona was not suitable and would have a “significant negative impact” on Gwalchmai and Rhostrehwfa.

“Council officers have responded and collaborated to recognise suitable sites which will not impact negatively on the Island’s communities and residents,” said Cllr Medi.

“It’s disappointing that the input and local knowledge requested much earlier.

“Had the Mona site not been in the council’s ownership, I’m convinced we wouldn’t even have been part of this important process.

“Our involvement was sought in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis – with our staff already facing so many additional commitments and demands whilst responding to the emergency.

“We have acted in good faith with no additional resources or capacity.

“We will continue to work with partners to support the process to try and ensure the agreed site works for the island.” council’s was not