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Anglesey council’s first chance to discuss the suspension of a multi-billion pound nuclear plant could be held behind closed doors, following legal advice.

On Monday, the authority is to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the fallout of Thursday’s announcement that the Wylfa Newydd project was being ‘paused’ due to difficulties in securing the necessary funding.

The meeting had been organised after securing the necessary five signatures – all of whom belong to the opposition Annibynnwyr Môn group.

But officers are recommending that both the press and public should be shut out and the webcasting equipment turned off due to the potentially sensitive nature of the discussion.

Despite this, the leader of the opposition says that his group will vote to hold the meeting in public due to the importance of the project to both Anglesey and North Wales.

Cllr Bryan Owen said: “I’m sure there are some aspects that are commercially sensitive and we respect that, we don’t have to discuss everything in public.

(Image: Daily Post Wales)

“But due to the sheer scale of Wylfa Newydd and its importance to the local economy, I feel its only right that the public see that their councillors are working on their behalf and pushing for jobs on the island.”

Although accepting that the announcement is a matter of public interest, with the public “eager to know the reason behind the decision and its implications”, council officers recommend the discussion should not be held in public due to Wylfa Newydd still being subject to the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, which will decide if planning consent will be awarded.

The first DCO hearing was held in October 2018, with the six month long inquiry headed by a five member panel.

Once they have made a decision, their recommendation on whether to grant planning permission for the proposed power station will be forwarded to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark.

Noting their view any open discussion on Wylfa Newydd fails to pass the public interest test, the council officers’ recommendation notes: “The public discussion of commercially sensitive and financial matters may imperil any intention to proceed with the project.

“A public discussion of the detail of the matter may prejudice the council’s stand in the ongoing Public Inquiry.

“There may be a need to give legal advice on the matter and its implications and that such advice should not be given in public (no public interest test relevant to this reason).”

Despite the economic blow, the council leader has welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to nuclear power.

In response to Horizon’s announcement, Greg Clark MP told the commons on Friday that Hitachi’s decision would not change his commitment to Anglesey, which he called “a real island of energy,” and pledged to continue to work with political partners and the local community.

He also revealed that he would set out a new approach to financing new nuclear as part of a planned Energy white paper this summer.

In response, Cllr Llinos Medi, said: “This is a positive statement, which clearly emphasises the UK government’s continued commitment to Anglesey and nuclear power.

“The Wylfa Newydd project is clearly still on the table. We will continue to work tirelessly with colleagues in both Welsh and UK Government in the weeks and months ahead to ensure that new nuclear build becomes a reality here on the island.”

She added: “I have also held positive talks with both Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, and Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Ken Skates, to press the case for Anglesey.”

The extraordinary meeting to discuss Wylfa Newydd will be held on Monday, January 28 at 4pm in the council chamber.