Special meeting of council scrutiny committee called to discuss library closures

Dec 2 2008 By Lorna Hughes

John Hale

A SPECIAL meeting of Wirral Council's Culture, Leisure and Tourism Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been called to consider proposals to close libraries, leisure centres and transfer community centres away from council control.

Chairman of the committee, Councillor John Hale, has asked for the special meeting to be held next Wednesday (December 10).

Buildings earmarked for closure are: Hoylake Library, Pensby Library, Upton Library, Seacombe Library, Higher Bebington Library, Wallasey Village Library, Bromborough Library, New Ferry Library, Beechwood Library, Prenton Library, Ridgeway Library, Birkenhead Central Library, Woodchurch Leisure Centre, Guinea Gap Baths, Grange Road West Sports Centre, Pacific Road Arts Centre and Wirral Museum at Birkenhead Town Hall.

Councillor Hale said: “It was obvious at the meeting of the cabinet that the huge public attendance was because of opposition to the proposals of the Labour/Liberal Democrat cabinet, opposition I and my party share.

"There was considerable frustration that no member of the public was allowed to address the meeting and indeed Councillor Jeff Green, leader of the Conservative Group, was not allowed to speak.

"As somebody who believes the proposed consultation process is a sham, and is solely concerned with the implementation process, I intend to make sure that the public can express their views before any final decision is made."

Members of the public or organisations affected by the proposals who wish to speak at the meeting should contact the Conservative office at Wallasey Town Hall on 691 8550 between 9am and 5pm.