Future of library still in doubt as councils bicker
THE future of Sutton Coldfield Library remains under threat of closure following a dispute between two councils overseeing it.
The library, based in the Red Rose shopping centre in Sutton Coldfield town centre, was given a five-month reprieve from closure following a deal between Birmingham City Council and the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council (RSCTC).
But now Birmingham City Council, which runs the library, has been accused of dragging its feet over repairs to the building and the subletting of the building’s top floor offices to raise cash. Meanwhile, RSCTC has also been accused of refusing to hand over the £150,000 contribution it promised to keep the library going while a rescue deal was finalised.
The Conservative-run RSCTC is instead paying £30,000 a month instalments to Labour-run Birmingham until it sees action on the repairs and the offices marketed.
Now campaigners who fought to stop the closure are calling on both councils to stop squabbling and sort out the mess.
Jenny Wilkinson, of the Library Lobby campaign, said: “We urge the town council and city council to keep talking to each other, and to find ways of building trust, rather than destroying it. “Now more than ever we need our politicians to step up and show their negotiating skills – skills which include diplomacy, thoughtfulness and vision. We all want a library in central Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham City Council are committed to part funding this – something that was not in their original plans – so let’s make the most of this opportunity and not let it slip through our fingers at the last moment.”
Conservative Ewan Mackey (Sutton Trinity), who sits on both councils, said: “The town council was promised repairs to the roof and walls, but all we’ve seen is a bit of scaffolding.
“We have not seen any marketing of the second floor, it’s as if Birmingham City Council don’t want to let it out.
“So we will hand over the full amount when we see some action. They will get the full amount if they do what was promised.”
But Labour councillors have accused the Tories of throwing the whole future of the library into doubt.
Labour’s Rob Pocock (Sutton Vesey), who also sits on both councils, said: “This is a bitterly disappointing decision and inevitably throws the whole future of the library into jeopardy once again.
“The Conservative town council leadership has ratted on the deal and just created chaos and uncertainty.”
He said he would be working with Labour colleagues in Birmingham to rescue the deal.
The Sutton Coldfield Library had initially been earmarked for closure as one of the city’s most costly community libraries to run, although much of the expense is rent paid to the council’s property service department.