TWO Amman valley schools are a step nearer closure after councillors in Carmarthenshire rubber-stamped controversial plans.

Ystradowen and Cefnbrynbrain primary schools are both set to close at the end of the summer term after councillors voted to proceed with proposals under the authority's Modernising Education Plan.

The decision was made after it was revealed Ystradowen has four pupils, with eight students at Cefnbrynbrain.

All 12 will go to Brynaman Primary School from September.

The drop in numbers at both schools led to Carmarthenshire Council's decision as they said neither were viable.

A report into the closures stated that Brynamman had room for another 47 pupils.

Council director for strategic projects Rob Sully said in the report: "Retaining the schools is not a viable option, either educationally or financially.

"In the long-term interests of pupils it is considered essential that the county council resolves to implement its proposals to close the schools and to make alternative arrangements for the education of pupils."

Council executive board member for education, Councillor Gwynne Wooldridge said the executive board should accept the closure plans as Brynamman school had a glowing report from its last Estyn inspection and that the needs of pupils would be met.

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He added: "It is not viable to retain the schools and most of the pupils will move to Brynamman school."

Among concerns raised during the public consultation into the closures were fears that people would not be enticed to move into the villages of Cefnbrynbrain and Ystradowen if there were no schools, resulting in local business suffering.

And opponents to the closure claimed pupil numbers at the threatened schools were low because the council had earmarked them both for closure for almost a decade.

Sioned Elin, chair of Welsh language group Cymdeithas Yr Iaith in Carmarthenshire, said: "The council has used the Chinese drip strategy to undermine these village schools with the threat of closure first introduced in 2001.

"It's about time that the county council starts working with parents and sees them as important resources rather than a nuisance that they need to grind down."

ian.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk