Council is brought to book

Oct 31 2007 by Kevin Core, Birkenhead News

THE library is now 73 years old.

Unfortunately, Wirral Council has not spent any money on its upkeep for a long period; it’s about time it did.

The roof damage occurred on June 26 and four months later the council is still awaiting the results of an extensive structural survey, which will not be available until the end of the year – why does it take so long?

“Consultants are looking at pattern of usage”, but with the foyer area only being used for a very limited number of fiction and non-fictions books, the service is greatly reduced.

By the time the consultants report to council a lot of people will be going to other libraries because of the reduction of books available.

I feel sorry for the staff having to work in these conditions.

Is this a case of demolition by neglect?

CHRIS MORRIS

BIRKENHEAD

Anger over library

WHEN I read the headline in your paper ‘Library hangs in the balance’ I was so shocked and angry that I was unable to read the report until the following day!

For some time now I have been most concerned about the shabby state of this wonderful building and have wondered how any self-respecting council could have allowed a building of this stature – one of the very few such buildings in our town – to fall into this state.

Those of us who own ordinary homes know that it is essential to keep up with repairs!

The neglect of this iconic building is bad enough, but what about its cultural and educational status?

Even in this day and age, when people gain their information from the internet and many buy paperback books, do we really want to be part of a society who won’t have the pleasure of the wider cultural experience of visiting a gracious, well-stocked library?

Not everyone has the access to computers and many cannot afford to buy books.

Surely a central library such as this could be used for a variety of interesting activities and should be a thriving venue for the community.

I reckon that I am only one of many Wirral residents who refuse to accept that this building – our library – might have to close, or changes be made to its use.

Wirral Borough Council – think again!

BARBARA BAKER

BIRKENHEAD

Policy puzzle

AMAZING!

After years of “managed decline” we are now told what I think everyone knows – public buildings in constant use need constant attention.

Surely this could have been dealt with over the years in order to save this landmark building on a major route to the town.

Or could it perhaps have been policy to allow it to fall into disrepair in order to sell, and the site be used for even more flats or possibly another supermarket?

Maybe we could then commission a memorial costing thousands of pounds to the death of the Central Library.

JOAN MASON

OXTON

Landmark disgrace

WHAT an absolute disgrace that Birkenhead Library, a magnificent building, has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent.

This building is a landmark in Birkenhead and many people have been attending since they were children.

Surely it would have made more sense to maintain this wonderful building than let it fall into such a state of disrepair that is no longer fit for purpose.

General maintenance over the years would not have resulted in the building becoming so dilapidated, and probably not have cost as much as the now complete restoration which is needed.

Those responsible in Wirral Council should hang their heads in shame.

ANITA HEERWAGEN

THINGWALL

No common sense

I NOTE that Wirral Council is apparently determined to close this wonderful facility on the grounds that repairs “will cost a six figure sum”.

The monstrous statuary they are falling over themselves to erect at the bottom of the Wirral is also a “six figure sum” (£300,000).

I have no doubt which expenditure will benefit the citizens the most and common sense would direct this money to the library.

But when was common sense a feature of this council?

CHARLES NUNN

UPTON

Sensible view

AS DESCRIBED in the article about Birkenhead Central Library on the front page of your paper dated October 17, I thought what a sensible view Wirral Council was taking over the library's future.

I don’t see how the ‘historic building’ makes it specially suitable for a good library, or any ease of access advantage it has.

The council knows how to provide a good library, like the one in the concourse at West Kirby.

Let the council find space for the library somewhere else, such as in the Conway Centre.

SAXON J G TAYLOR

WEST KIRBY

Case is flawed

RE THE Warrens decision (Wirral News, October 17).

Mr Hesford is “utterly staggered” and has referred to an “unholy alliance” between Liberals and Tories!

Well, I am staggered that he drags party politics into a community matter that should not cross party political boundaries.

Had Mr Hesford’s premature celebration, that he admits was wrong, anything to do with Labour’s now aborted plans for a snap General Election, I wonder?

As an architect with 25 years’ experience of NHS developments, including several in Green Belt, the case here appears to be flawed and patient interests not to be the main driver.

JOHN H IRBY

Shame on Hesford

I WAS absolutely staggered by the remarks attributed to Stephen Hesford in your article re: The Warrens (October 17).

Perhaps Mr Hesford can show the ‘‘overwhelming evidence’’ laid before the committee.

The site is in the Green Belt and Wirral’s Unitary Development Plan states that there have to be special circumstances to meet the criteria for development.

The reason the committee refused the application was that no special circumstances were shown.

Mr Hesford has made it perfectly obvious that he does not give a damn for the Green Belt.

Shame on him.

A new health centre may be needed, but not at the loss of Green Belt land.

He also stated “it was an unholy alliance between the Lib Dems and Tories who have nothing to do with this area”.

The voting to refuse this application was 10 to refuse, two to approve, those two being 50 pc of the Labour group on the committee.

He says the Tories have nothing to do with the area?

I represent Heswall Ward and Heswall residents are involved, but not one Heswall resident contacted me stating that they want their surgery to move to Thingwall.

It is only Mr Hesford being political, especially as his Parliamentary colleague in Wirral South, Mr Chapman, was against the proposal.

CLLR PETER JOHNSON

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR, HESWALL

Another flying pig

GRATIFYING to read that Esther McVey is supporting the local people’s plight in losing dentist Clive Morgan. Gratifying too that she feels his reasons for retiring are ‘shocking’.

Can we take it then that if we vote for Miss McVey’s party – whenever the next election is held – that she will call him back out of retirement, reimburse him £20,000, ensure his surgery is reopened and then go on to reimburse Springfield Surgery the £90,000 they are in line to pay?

Was that another flying pig I have just seen?

JOHN MICHAEL CORFE

WEST KIRBY