Church Stretton Library decision slammed
Campaigners fighting to keep Church Stretton Library have reacted angrily to the decision by Shropshire Council to turn down a formal review of their decision to move it out of town.
This despite a mass of evidence highlighting the economic and social harm the move would cause.
Commenting on the rejection, Felicity Thomas, a spokesperson for the Church Stretton Library Support Groups said:
“As the library saga continues to ignore local residents and library users and takes on all the subtle characteristics of a bulldozer we are astonished by the rejection of a call-in request. This is a slap in the face for the 82% of local residents who objected to the relocation proposal and shows a total disrespect for the people the Council is supposed to serve. Those councillors involved in foisting this unacceptable decision on Church Stretton residents have no concern or respect for local people trying to develop a valuable public library facility at the heart of the community. Those councillors involved in this charade should hang their heads in shame.”
Roger Evans, Leader of the Lib Dem Group said: "Its pretty obvious that the Council Administration have made their mind up and have no intention of working with the community to resolve this matter.
"Not only will this decision be damaging to the town but its also inconsistent. Elsewhere, such as in Pontesbury, they have worked closely with the community to seek a solution. Here despite the exhaustive work done by the Libary Support Group to highlight the social and economic damage this move, they are being ignored."
Cllrs Roger Evans, Charlotte Barnes and Heather Kidd has moved a 'call In' for a formal review of the decision. This was rejected by the portfolio holder, Cllr Steven Charmley.
Cllr Charlotte Barnes added: "There is also quite a serious safeguarding issue here as it exposes exposing children and older pedestrians to additional risk. Given the town's elderly population, its obvious that moving the Library half a mile from the town centre would be a disaster for Church Stretton.
"I strongly suspect that there is some other, financial, motive behind this decision."
The Library Support Group and the three councillors are now seeing if pressure can be brought on the Council under the provisions of the recent Localism Act.
