MP’s plea to stop Wirral library closures

Mar 11 2009 Birkenhead News

WIRRAL West MP Stephen Hesford has written to Wirral Council demanding a halt to library closures as part of the controversial Strategic Asset Review.

Mr Hesford, along with his colleague in south Wirral, MP Ben Chapman, have been pressing for the Local Government Ombudsman to intervene.

The Strategic Asset Review (SAR) will see 11 libraries across Wirral close and other cultural facilities including museums and leisure centres transferred out of council control.

Despite opposition from Conservatives and several dissident Liberal Democrat councillors the measures have been voted through by the controlling Labour and Lib-Dem groups on the authority.

Independent councillor David Kirwan has also been backing moves for a judicial review of the SAR, while other activists have said they plan to create a new political party to battle the issue out at the local elections next year.

In light of these Mr Hesford has now written to Wirral Council’s chief executive Steve Maddox to demand that no closures take place until the Ombudsman’s investigation and judicial processes are completed.

Mr Hesford also cited “the vague and unsatisfactory post review proposals”.

He said: “I am writing to demand that the libraries closure programme be halted until such time as the various enquiries have reported and concrete and timetabled alternative provision has been put in place.”

Wirral Council has yet to respond to Mr Hesford, but a spokesman said a rolling programme of closures for libraries following March 31 was planned, but there was currently no definite order.

He also said the Pacific Road theatre would be meeting all its contractual commitments for shows.

Local Government Ombudsman Anne Seex has written to campaigners saying she has received a “large number of complaints from members of the public about the Review and consequent decision to close a number of public libraries”.

She said: “The current position is that I am meeting with the investigators who are handling the complaints early next week in order to decide how best to proceed.

“We will then come to a preliminary view as soon as possible.”. I will keep you informed of progress.”

Mr Chapman met last week with Gerry Patten, Chair of the Save Eastham Library campaign.

Afterwards he said: “It seems like only yesterday that I had the honour of opening this modern and accessible facility, and the idea of it closing is a disgrace.

“However, this is just one of a number of facilities set to close as part of a process which I believe will cause significant damage to the Wirral.”

Last week Wirral council approved a 4.4% increase in council tax despite another bid by opposition Conservatives and rebel Liberal Democrats to overturn the controversial library closures.