BREAKING NEWS: All of Wirral's closure-threatened libraries to stay open, council leader confirms (From Wirral Globe)
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BREAKING NEWS: All of Wirral's closure-threatened libraries to stay open, council leader confirms
6:32pm Wednesday 30th September 2009 in News By Justin Dunn
Thousands of campaigners protested against the library closures
ELEVEN Wirral libraries threatened with closure under the council's controversial strategic asset review are to remain open, it was announced tonight.
The remarkable U-turn by the ruling Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition comes in advance of the pending results of a local inquiry.
Council leader Steve Foulkes told the Globe tonight that the move was the result of "decisive leadership".
The library closure programme was due to begin in April but was halted at the eleventh hour after the then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham ordered the local inquiry.
His move followed massive opposition from residents and campaigners - up to 60,000 people signed petitions against the closures.
The plan was to close 11 libraries and use the savings - some £20m - to build 13 new neighbourhood multi-purpose centres.
We have therefore decided to advise the Cabinet to revoke the decision to invest in 13 neighbourhood centres and to close 11 libraries
Council leader Steve Foulkes
Cllr Foulkes told the Globe tonight that because of the length of time of the local inquiry, and because there was still no outcome from it, any savings from this year to be used for the new developments had been lost - and so the closure programme had been revoked.
And in a statement, he said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly.
"We firmly believe that our initial decision to invest £20m in the modernisation of our library service and the creation of 13 neighbourhood centres was the right decision for the future of Wirral.
"The government itself is looking at a modernisation of library services and is carrying out a review of what these should look like in the future.
"There is a major debate now underway about the best way forward for libraries in a technological age, and a review of the current legislation governing libraries.
"We do not want anything Wirral has done, or planned to do, to overshadow this debate, or create precedents which could cause real difficulties for other local authorities facing the same challenges as us.
"We have therefore decided to advise the Cabinet to revoke the decision to invest in 13 neighbourhood centres and to close 11 libraries.
"This will give us the opportunity to work with the government and with our local government colleagues to meet the challenges of the future together.
"We are also running out of time to find the £1m savings needed to balance this year’s budget as a consequence of not implementing any closures so far.
"This decision gives us the certainty necessary not just to balance this year’s budget, but to set the budget for future years as well in the best interests of Wirral’s council tax payers.
"It will also allow us to reassure staff who have been left in limbo for a long time waiting to hear how they would be affected by any re-organisation.
"This does not mean that the challenge facing not only the library service but all our services in the current economic climate has gone away.
"It does mean that we can take the time to work constructively with the government and other local authorities, through the Local Government Association, to find the best possible way forward."
Deputy council leader and leader of the Lib Dem group Cllr Simon Holbrook said: "We always knew that taking the difficult decision to close libraries would be unpopular with some residents.
"However, we still firmly believe that change is needed to ensure the long term future of library services in Wirral and bring our facilities into the 21st Century.
"It is clear that the library service in Wirral must change and we recognise the need to develop a broad consensus to deliver change.
"Wirral Council faces significant challenges – as do all local authorities across the country, not just for libraries but across the full range of services.
"We already know that between 2011 and 2014 this Council will have to find between £50m and £80m from its annual budget as a result of measures already announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget this year.
"This does not take into account the current national political debate taking place within all three major political parties about potential further restraint in public sector spending.
"There is no doubt that there are hard times ahead and that the situation is not likely to improve.
"There will be significant impacts on local services and very difficult decisions to be taken to continue to balance the council’s budget.
"In light of these challenges it is increasingly important that we work together with Wirral residents, our partners and stakeholders to ensure that we deliver the best possible library service for the people of Wirral, without placing undue pressure on other front line services.
"In moving towards that goal, we will work to establish a new consensus which ensures sustainability for the library service.
"We will welcome constructive suggestions for addressing the significant challenges that lie ahead for us all.
"To this end, we are asking Government to work with us to support our delivery of a library service that will effectively meet the future needs of Wirral residents."
MORE LATER - STAY WITH GLOBE ONLINE
Comments(42)
glenn, moreton
says...
7:58pm Wed 30 Sep 09
'The council being run by labour is definitely the right thing, a Tory run council would be devastating'
what, would they nuke the wirral or something? Can't imagine anything worse than this Labour led council.
My previous comment wasn't registered so i will repeat what i said - CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved in FORCING this council into making this 'decisive decision' ! I must admit i nearly fell off my chair laughing at that comment from foulkes!
frank h
says...
8:28pm Wed 30 Sep 09
SHAME ON YOU SHAME ON HOW YOU HAVE ACTED IN A TOTAL IRRESPONSIBLE MANNER HOW YOU DECIDED WHAT COMMUNITIES NEED. IT IS NOW PERFECTLY CLEAR THE DIRECTOR AND OFFICERS WHO MADE BROUGHT THIS DECISION TO THE PEOPLE OF THE WIRRAL THEIR ROLE AS OFFICERS IS NOW TOTALLY IN DISPUTE WITH THE WISHES AND NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY OF WIRRAL AND AS SUCH SHOULD EITHER RESIGN OR BE DISMISSED.
ASK THE LIBRARIANS AND USER GROUPS THEY HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THESE INDIVIDUALS
SHAME ON THE COUNCILORS WHO EVEN NOW ARE TELLING US THEY WERE RIGHT TO CLOSE HOPE THEY CAN CONVINCE US WHEN THEY COME UP FOR RE-ELECTION
OH YES TO ALL OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT AGAINST THE CUTS CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE ACHIEVED A GREAT VICTORY. THANKS TO SUE CHARTERIS AND HER ROLE CANT WAIT TILL I READ YOUR DAMNING RESPONSE TO THIS PATHETIC CUTS FROM WBC
MX
says...
8:30pm Wed 30 Sep 09
glenn, moreton
says...
8:31pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Jayo
says...
8:38pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Veridici
says...
9:07pm Wed 30 Sep 09
glenn, moreton
says...
9:21pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Jim O'Neil
says...
9:28pm Wed 30 Sep 09
THANK YOU to all involved.
Jim
johnr
says...
9:38pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Spiffy
says...
9:54pm Wed 30 Sep 09
.................
I understand that advice must be sought - human nature to do so when in doubt - but I really do not understand why this council and so many others appear completely paralysed without the input of outside consultants and quangos.
.........
I suspect it comes down to the fact they are desperately trying to hide the true extent of the hole they are in. The public must never know !
........
piggymalone
says...
10:21pm Wed 30 Sep 09
AncientHabbie
says...
10:38pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Our Fib Dem councillors are already trying to claim the credit for the U-turn, but the people of Eastham and the Wirral forced the change.
Foulkes and Holbrook should be removed as leader and deputy leader and there should be a review of the competence of the senior council officers and manage them out of their posts.
How much has been spent on firstly defending the cuts, including the cost of the QC for the inquiry and secondly in preparation work to accomodate the services and customers expected at the libraries that were to stay open.
frank h
says...
10:41pm Wed 30 Sep 09
Council leader Steve Foulkes decisive leadership?? (that made me laugh). "This is not a decision we have taken lightly.” We firmly believe that our initial decision was the right decision for the future of Wirral.
Cllr Simon Holbrook said: "We always knew that taking the difficult decision to close libraries would be unpopular "However, we still firmly believe that change is needed to ensure the long term future of library services in Wirral "It is clear that the library service in Wirral must change.
So it seems the threat has not gone away. Can we find out the cost of the enquiry (if WBC QC was paid by the word should be cheap he did not say much). If Foulkesey saying it is hard to keep within a budget then lets have a look at councillors expenses ten, twenty thirty thousand pound a year (trips to China good job the Panda is furry we may never have gotten him back where was the tank in the square when we needed one).
Oh yeh lets have a PARTY (political ???)
Jeff Green
says...
11:29pm Wed 30 Sep 09
We must now redouble our efforts to change the Council to one that listens and includes instead of one that ignores the views and aspirations of taxpayers and residents
On reflection I hope that Cllrs Foulkes and Holbrook will realise they should be hanging their heads in shame at the way they have treated the Council's library staff and those people who told them, from the moment they announced their closure plans, that a truly local library is essential to their quality of life.
slumdog
says...
12:16am Thu 1 Oct 09
piggymalone
says...
1:04am Thu 1 Oct 09
hugo2008
says...
12:26pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Roll on the elections.
piggymalone
says...
2:53pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Veridici
says...
6:46pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Add to that list those who have consistently voted to prevent an independent, external investigation into the unlawful charging of vulnerable adults.
Add those who turned their heads away when relatives of vulnerable adults pleaded for their help.
Add those who allowed "Employee A" and "Employee B" to return to work instead of dismissing them.
That should rid the Council of most of the ruling parties, and we can start with a clean sheet.
We know who you are, and come the elections we will make **** sure everyone else knows, too.
Dave J1608
says...
7:18pm Thu 1 Oct 09
Wendy Clements
says...
7:42pm Thu 1 Oct 09
piggymalone
says...
9:18pm Thu 1 Oct 09
http://www.whatdothe
yknow.com/request/co
st_of_investigation_
and_discip#outgoing-
35583
Adele Cosgrove-Bray
says...
1:13pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Modernisation may well be needed in some instances, but change merely for the sake of change rarely produces worthwhile results and, as with the proposed new buildings, are often expensive.
For some people, especially the very elderly with limited mobility, their local library plays a large part in their social life. Those few words exchanged with familiar faces may be the only conversation they have all day. It is easy for busy working people to dismiss this cold fact, as this kind of isolation has perhaps not yet touched their own lives.
Centralised facilities may sound great on paper, and their implementation might look good on someone's CV, but the opinion of the people who actually use and pay for those facilities should take first place, not last.
glenn, moreton
says...
4:53pm Fri 2 Oct 09
frank h
says...
7:12pm Fri 2 Oct 09
There should now be a maximum allowance of £10,000 any extra should be applied for , with an independent accountable body in place who would allocate funds required and release information monthly on what extras who to and what it was used for (don’t think even our councilors have moat’s but Foulksey wishes he had one). NO to cuts NO to the future of this council
Once again well done to those who made this the biggest demonstration since Thatcher’s Poll Tax
Rob Blahzil
says...
8:16pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Willow Sherbet
says...
9:01pm Fri 2 Oct 09
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever.
Unless the Lord himself intervenes, the libraries do not stand a chance. One year from now, they will close.
The besmirched, machinating hyenas will shut them down.
The Prophet
says...
3:36pm Sat 3 Oct 09
WBC
The Prophet
says...
4:00pm Sat 3 Oct 09
slumdog
says...
8:23pm Sat 3 Oct 09
.........
People would soon take an interest in something they saw as part of their lives. Most people see local or national politics as beyond their control. They realise that it makes no difference who is in power. Same crap different bills.
glenn, moreton
says...
9:26pm Sat 3 Oct 09
Give me a break. You want people to be forced to vote for someone they don't like(or hate)? How is that democracy and not a dictatorship? How else can voters show their utter contempt for the rubbish options offered to them except for not voting for ANY of them? There are no real alternatives and no discernible difference when they're in power - they're all the same. I think you need to get back to the drawing board with that one slumdog.
Rob Blahzil
says...
10:06pm Sat 3 Oct 09
slumdog
says...
1:03am Sun 4 Oct 09
.......
I think people would definitely become more involved in politics and that is bound to change the nature of politics. With everyone voting, careerist politicians would not be able to get away with concentrating on a few specialist issues which interest those of us who bother to vote now. Politicians would actually have to get involved in politics.
frank h
says...
12:10pm Sun 4 Oct 09
Conservative’s they would have exactly the same if they were in control. We only have to listen to Cameron that cuts are the only option so have no doubt if W.B.C. officers gave them the option they would accept closures.
Liberal’s the absolute joke of the three major parties nodding dogs for any of the other two who offer them a bone. Offer of deputy leader, places on the Cabinet as long as they do what NEW LABOUR tells tem to do.
NEW LABOUR = prostituting the communities they represent, selling any asset as long it does not affect them, forgotten that they are guardian of the needs of the community.
How can anyone possibly want to vote for any of these? I have voted at every opportunity till last year. But a vote for any of these condones their actions. Yes I agree there needs to be an alternative party but until then why vote for what has over the years constantly sold the rights for everyday people
Jayo
says...
2:46pm Sun 4 Oct 09
*************
The problem is party politics on the whole its very nature is undemocratic.
I agree that more people should vote because I can see a time when they will say not enough people are voting and then abolish it.( Dressed up in the name of saving money.Of course)
glenn, moreton
says...
12:28pm Mon 5 Oct 09
slumdog
says...
1:38pm Mon 5 Oct 09
hugo2008
says...
12:03pm Tue 6 Oct 09
It will be right and proper for the council to replace such items.
All I ask is the disposal procedure was carried out in a correct manner, as to what was disposed of, to whom, at what price, and where has the money gone now. One last thing who exactly authorised the disposal.
glenn, moreton
says...
1:47pm Tue 6 Oct 09
David
says...
3:36pm Tue 6 Oct 09
piggymalone
says...
9:43pm Tue 6 Oct 09
They obviously didnt want MBW to get their hands on the assets that were purchased through donations from their own members.
pcs1980 says...
7:35pm Wed 30 Sep 09
The council being run by labour is definitely the right thing, a Tory run council would be devastating, but I think in light of this the local Labour party should request that the council leader Steve Foulkes should resign or step down as leader (not as councillor the people should decide if he stays on as councillor when he is up for election) & appoint someone else as leader of the council.
I agree that we need to modernise & update these facilities but the council should have set out their plans to build or convert new & updated facilities & put them into use before closing the current ones.
''Councillor Foulkes this is not decisive leadership, this is backing down & trying to save face before telling the truth that you have been overruled by the government. Do the honourable thing & step down as Labour council leader & let the party try & convince the electorate that a Labour run council is still right for Wirral, remember you are not up for local election next & anyone making a protest vote in next years local elections will do so at the cost of an extremely good Labour councillor.
Paul From Wallasey