Anglesey commissioners hold first board meeting

So far, three of five commissioners have been appointed to run Anglesey council

Commissioners who have taken over at Anglesey council "get down to business" and hold their first board meeting.

Education issues are on the agenda at their first official board meeting at the county's Llangefni offices.

Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant made the decision last week to bring in commissioners after years of political infighting on the island.

Councillors have been stripped of all executive powers which have been assumed by the commissioners.

These will be scrutinised by the council and its committees.

Three of the five commissioners have been announced and they include Alex Aldridge, former leader of Flintshire council and the Welsh Local Government Association.

Mr Aldridge said: "We're here to do a job on behalf of everyone living on this island, and turn this ship around.

"During our first few days on Anglesey, we've already held a number of very constructive meetings with staff and members.

"Today, however, we get down to business and start making decisions on behalf of the people of Anglesey."

Matters before the board meeting include regional education collaboration, an update on the Local Development Plan (LDP) which sets out the island's future needs, and the council corporate business plan for 2011/12.

Mr Aldridge said: "We have stepped quickly into the decision making role as continuity is extremely important for the authority and we want council business to continue unimpeded."