Council boss ‘will work with staff and users’ over future of Birkenhead Central Library

Jan 7 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Steve Foulkes

THE leader of Wirral Council has defended plans to offload Pacific Road Arts Centre - but said the council would work with Birkenhead Central Library staff and users to look at how the building could be made to work.

During a bad-tempered meeting about the council’s controversial Strategic Asset Review at the Lauries Centre on Monday, Cllr Steve Foulkes said Pacific Road had become a “niche” facility.

He described Birkenhead Central Library as “somewhat out on a limb” - but said the council would work with staff and users to look at whether the facility could be saved.

The meeting was the first of four area forums taking place across the borough this week to discuss plans to close 14 libraries and three sports centres and move some community facilities out of council control.

On Pacific Road, Cllr Foulkes said: “It has developed a niche market and I don’t think, personally, that we’re very good at running those type of facilities.”

There were groans from members of the public as Cllr Foulkes repeatedly referred to the council’s investment in the new Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton.

And speaking about the future of Birkenhead Central Library, he said: “Central Library is not in a central location and it’s not on a main bus route, it’s somewhat out on a limb.

“We are more than happy to work with people within the library to put some investment or some resource into whether that thing can be saved and made to work.”

Director of Regeneration Alan Stennard moved to allay fears that developers could move in on Grange Road West Sports Centre - but confirmed there was interest in Woodchurch Leisure Centre from an organisation which wanted to use it for “training and exercise facilities”.

One audience member suggested the council should consider raising council tax, arguing “you get what you pay for”.

But Cllr Foulkes remained adamant the review was the only way to prevent a massive 12% rise in the tax - saying he would sanction an increase during the credit crunch only “over my dead body”.

He added: “We are trying to sell a vision that I understand is very difficult to sell.”