Fight to save library is ‘just warming up’
Organisers hope that a large turnout will meet at the library from 10.30am for a march starting at 11am to the Powysland Museum, where Powys County Council intends to squeeze its library services on the ground floor.
It has angered residents with over 4,000 people signing a petition and now Welshpool Town Council have sought legal advice after their original offer to take on the library was flatly refused.
Informing the Save Welshpool Library campaign, Town Clerk Robert Robinson said: “Welshpool Town Council resolved on March 27, 2019, to ask their solicitors to serve notice on Powys County Council to seek implementation of the Charter between the two authorities.
“This is with regard to section 5.5 which states "5.5 Reduction or ceasing of services. Powys County Council will not cut any services in Welshpool without first giving Welshpool Town Council the opportunity to consider taking over such services". The solicitors were instructed March 28 to take the process of serving notice forward.”
One supporter told us that it shows the fight to keep the library was “just warming up”.
Powys County Council said it needs the library building to move staff into from its Neuadd Maldwyn offices, which will be sold off in a bid to save money. It is due to start work on preparing the Museum for the move on April 15.
Tonight, Powys County Council said its stance has not change with Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Assets stating: “We know the decision will be disappointing to some but we hope that service users and residents understand that we have to make the very best use of precious resources and that means taking difficult decisions.
“The financial pressures facing the council meant that the status quo was not viable and we believe that, having considered all options, co-location is the best option to maintain services and make the best use of the county council’s property.”
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