Madeley First Point & Library set to be saved
Telford & Wrekin Council and Madeley Town Council are in discussion over saving the town’s library & First Point Service.
Madeley Library was one of six earmarked for possible closure in Telford & Wrekin Council’s budget proposals – as the council strives to make £30m of cuts.
However, since then a drive to establish community partnerships to enable libraries to be delivered in a different way has resulted in announcements that Hadley, Dawley and Newport libraries will all continue.
No final decisions have been taken but one of the preferred options is for the Library to move into the Anstice Memorial Hall – which historically used to house Madeley Library.
A group of leading Madeley Town Council members have met with Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, to discuss key budget issues and a possible Partnership Support programme.
Councillor Rae Evans, chairman of Madeley Town Council, said: “We have had some very positive discussions and we are committed to keeping our library and First Point open in Madeley.
“We are still working on what a sustainable model will look like but I am confident we will reach a solution that provides what our community wants us to deliver.”
Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “I am very heartened by the fantastic response we’ve had from the community all over the borough to a very difficult problem.
“None of us want to be in a position where we are having to cut services but we are facing further reductions in our government grant and other financial pressures.
“We have therefore been left with no choice but to take tough decisions which affect frontline services. However, the commitment from the community to work in partnership with us is resulting in some key front line services being protected, including libraries.”
Councillor Liz Clare, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Libraries, said: “I am delighted that we have already been able to safeguard the future of three libraries around the borough”
“We are working with other parish and town councils to see what else is possible and this latest news from our discussions with Madeley Town Council is extremely positive.”
Discussions also focused on Sutton Hill Community Centre and the future of the town’s market. It also included the possibility of investing in a Community Support Officer.
