Insist their views are ignored
ADDICTION UNIT WILL NOW OPEN IN SUBURB’S LIBRARY
BOOS rang out from the public gallery as council bosses ignored a 3,000 name petition and agreed to open an addiction recovery centre at a suburban library.
A debate on the future of Newcastle’s Fenham Library was labelled “an absolute farce” by angry residents in the public gallery a crunch city council meeting.
A petition with more than 3,000 signatures opposing the development was presented, with campaign leaders saying they were “astonished” the library was chosen as a location for recovering drug and alcohol addicts to receive help.
However, the authority’s ruling Labour group voted through support for the actions the council has already begun taking to appease the angry residents - including pausing the opening of the controversial services.
The recovery hub had been due to open this week, but the authority announced last month that its completion was on hold until December while further discussions are held with residents and experts over the safety of the project.
Members of the Fenham Library Action Group told the meeting the council had made only “a token attempt to pacify us” and had caused lasting damage to its relationship with residents.
They added: “Let Newcastle City Council be the city of literacy and empowerment, to lay the foundations for a better future for generations to come. Support our libraries to create a fair, equal and democratic society that works not for the few, not for the many, but for everyone.
“We urge you to reconsider this facility being opened in the heart of our local community and welcome your support to overturn this decision.”
Councillors ultimately voted by a margin of 42 to 16 to approve the council’s actions, though the debate descended into farce amid confusion over what was being voted on and malfunctions with the chamber’s voting system.
Coun Kim McGuinness, cabinet member for culture, sport and public health, said the council is “wholeheartedly aware” of the scale of opposition to the plans.
She added the library is the “perfect location” for the hub and would provide desperately needed access to recovery services as saving the library from closure.
Lib Dem opposition councillor Wendy Taylor said residents had been “badly let down” by the council’s failure to consult with them ahead of the hub being approved, and was cheered as she said there will only be room left for three shelves of books at the library after its transformation.
She added: “The failure to have any meaningful consultation was disgraceful and totally unacceptable. Other possible uses for the library should have been considered.”
The council also received a petition, with around 350 signatories, in support of the project. Its founder, Jo Cundall, said the plans were “considered and sensible”, adding the petition hoped to give a voice to people who need the services.
Coun McGuinness stressed recovering addicts using the service should not be demonised, saying: “We can’t put these strong individuals in a box and say we don’t want them in our communities.”
But she was booed heavily as she closed the debate by saying she is “looking forward to seeing an active, happy, healthy library service”.