Doubt cast over rescue plan for three Sutton Coldfield libraries amid council row
The leader of Sutton Coldfield Town Council has criticised city council chiefs for potentially jeopardising a rescue deal to keep open three 'at risk' libraries.
Simon Ward, Conservative leader of the town council, spoke out over a reported claim that a deal has already been done to keep open Boldmere, Walmley and Sutton town libraries, with town council funding. The reality is that a deal has not been done, he said, despite best efforts.
Until one is signed off, the future of the libraries remains in jeopardy. The town council has been working with their city peers for months to try to come up with a 'sustainable and financially responsible solution' for residents that preserves the three locations, he said, but it has been repeatedly frustrated by 'inaccurate information' and 'constantly changing plans'. He has now fired off an angry letter to council chiefs claiming a report into the future of all city libraries is 'misleading'.
READ MORE: Inside the new libraries plan for Birmingham - the 28 to stay open and the seven at risk
His letter, to city cabinet member responsible for libraries, Cllr Saima Suleman, said: "We have been very concerned about the impact on residents of the loss of this vital service. To that end we have been attempting to work constructively with residents and the city council to find a solution that saves our local libraries. Sadly, your council have consistently frustrated these attempts."
Residents across Sutton Coldfield have lobbied for the retention of all the libraries in the area, claiming they provide a vital service. The campaign has been led by FOLIO Sutton Coldfield - Friends of Libraries In Our Sutton Coldfield. The town council already provides significant funding for the library in the town centre.
The report, presented to the city's neighbourhoods scrutiny committee (Wednesday February 5), sets out that savings will be delivered through the transfer of building responsibilities for Sutton Coldfield, Walmley and Boldmere Community Libraries, fully funded by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council. Said Cllr Ward: "The report represents that an agreement has been reached to this effect – this is not the case, because you have failed to provide us with consistent and meaningful information to be able to make a decision."
He claimed that building and staffing costs had been understated. "We are clear that we believe there should be a library service in Sutton Coldfield, including retaining libraries like Boldmere. Despite trying to save these services, following birmingham -city-council>Birmingham City Council voting to close them, you have failed to provide us with sufficient information to be able to make a decision in line with best value duties in local government law, duties that we take seriously."
He added: "In the meetings held between officers of the Town Council and BCC, as part of the Town Council’s due diligence in exploring the implications on the Town Council taking on any future financial commitments in relation to library provision in Sutton Coldfield this has been a constant...there has been a total willingness from the town council to find a sustainable long-term solution to protect residents’ library service. We can only do that with reliable data and a willingness to engage at all levels."
He also disclosed that city council officers had stated it intended to close the Sutton Coldfield library on April 1, due to high running costs that make it 'unsustainable' - a fact also omitted from the report. The report also fails to reference ongoing partnership discussions relating to the future of community centres in Walmley and Mere Green.
"The report therefore not only sets out a partner led position for Sutton Coldfield, Boldmere and Walmley Libraries that has not been agreed with partners. It also misrepresents the true financial costs of a partner led solution. To be clear the Report is misleading and inaccurate in all respects."
The issue was raised at Birmingham's neighbourhoods scrutiny committee this week. (Wednesday February 5) Cllr Darius Sandhu (Cons, Oscott) referenced the letter and asked for 'the truth'. In response Cllr Suleman said she was aware of the letter and would respond to it when she had time to review it. "Conversations will absolutely continue with partners...we want to work with partners in a positive way."