Post comment: Library solution is available
IN his column for today's Post Coun Dave Trimble sets out clearly and unequivocally the reasons for the closure of Victoria Leisure Centre.
He summarises what's happening when it closes and underlines the commitment to people's needs on a new centre, and that the council has the money for it and expects it to open in 2012.
He must be similarly clear with the plans for Wilford Library, where delays and lack of clarity have led to anger.
Nottingham City Council said it wants to close the library in order to save money and channel resources to other facilities.
Disappointing in itself – a library should be one of the most valuable community resources.
In January the The Wilford Community Group was asked if it wanted to take on the library in a "community asset transfer". A potential compromise. But it has now emerged that process could not be completed before the current facility is due to close on March 31.
Residents are upset – not least because at a meeting Coun Trimble revealed he had delayed the closure plan for two years after it was initially raised. If he thought he would buy time to help the group save the library, his good will has backfired. If he believes that is consultation, he is wrong.
But he has a chance to help Wilford as he is due to meet the group again. They want a delay to the closure plans so that the possibility of community ownership can be explored properly.
In other words they want to help. The council needs to listen.
2 Comments
by kerry ward, beechdale
Monday, February 22 2010, 12:29PM
“I have put the very same suggestion to the council re: closure of beechdale library. We would much rather lose the dratted Arrow than our own library. They are not listening to us.”
by Stetphanie Taylor, Wilford
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 7:07AM
“I am chair of the Wilford Community Group. Committee members are meeting the council today. We hope to have constructive news about the way forward for our library. We are bemused by publicity about huge improvements to libraries around the City whilst our community is due to lose its small library completely. Did you know the annual cosot of runnning this little library is almost the same as the cost of producing one issue of The Arrow! Which would YOU prefer to lose?”