Library to close at end of month

CAMP AIGNERS have hit out after it was confirmed that six Valley buildings - including Crawshawbooth Library and three children’s and young people’s centres - are set to close at the end of this month.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) has released the results of its 12-week consultation into controversial cuts plans to public buildings.

However, Bacup and Whitworth libraries have been given a stay of execution.

Governor Brenda Pickup, was totally shocked by the announcement of the forthcoming closure of Staghills Children’s Centre in Newchurch, which follows a recent refurbishment.

She said: “They’ve just had all that work done on refurbishing it with new equipment to make it a children’s paradise. I can’t understand why they would want to close it – it’s very popular.

“Without it there is nothing in the area, it’s completely severed.

“What will happen to the families that use it and can’t afford to go to private? I think they’re going to have a fight on their hands.”

Sue Neilson, a founding member of the Friends of Whitworth Library group, said the loss of the town’s library would be devastating for their community.

She said: “I am hoping that this stay of execution will give people a chance to look again and look at all those benefits that are so important for a place like Whitworth because of its geographical isolation.

“If we lose that centre, what we have seen as being really positive for social cohesion will be totally ruptured and I find that incredibly saddening.”

LCC’s Conservative opposition leader Geoff Driver said he is concerned for the future of the buildings if they are mothballed.

Coun Driver said: “Once you close them it’s very difficult to open them again.

“I think we should give groups the opportunity to take them on but we have got to give the proper support. Running a library isn’t just putting a book on the shelves.

“We are going to be calling the decision to close the libraries in to the scrutiny committee. We are still fighting this.”

Rossendale Borough Council (RBC) bosses say they are in the last stages of negotiations with LCC to secure Bacup and Whitworth as fully serviced libraries, with a contribution from RBC to cover running costs.

County councillor and Rossendale council leader Alyson Barnes, said: “We can’t afford to lose all those buildings that are under threat.

“We understand how important those community services are to a lot of people – particularly given the geography of Rossendale – and we are fighting hard to save as much of those in the borough as possible.

“We are prepared as a borough council to step in to help with some of the costs.”

Coun Barnes added that other existing community services run from Crawshawbooth and Whitewell Bottom community centres would mean those buildings would not be left standing empty after September 30.

RBC is planning to support community groups who are successful in asset transfers with funding for the first two years.

A report to LCC’s cabinet recommends the closure of county buildings at the end of September.

The cuts come as part of the latest phase of a £262 million budget reduction initiative by Lancashire County Council.

NO longer delivering LCC services from September 30: Balladen Children’s Centre; Crawshawbooth Library and Community Centre; Rossendale Registration Office; Staghills Children’s Centre; Whitewell Bottom Community Centre; and Whitworth Young People’s Centre.

SUBJECT to ongoing consideration: Bacup Library and Whitworth Library.