Councillors disappointed by Newport libraries closure (From South Wales Argus)
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Councillors disappointed by Newport libraries closure
3:02pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News
By David Deans - Politics reporter
CLOSURE PLAN: Maindee Library, Newport, which could close
CITY councillors have expressed disappointment over the proposal to shut Stow Hill and Maindee libraries.
Newport council says the authority needs to make savings and all residents will be within two miles of a library.
No decision has yet been made, but Matthew Evans, council Tory group leader and councillor for Allt-Yr- Yn, said the Stow Hill library, which is in his ward, is a lifeline for shops around the Handpost.
“It is extremely well used, not just by residents of Allt- Yr-Yn, but also the Gaer, Stow Hill and as far as Bassaleg,” the councillor told the Argus.
His party colleague, Councillor Charles Ferris, who represents the same ward, said: “That’s the only cultural amenity we have in the ward. We haven’t got anything close.”
Tory Cllr David Fouweather, also for Allt- Yr-Yn ward, said the proposal was very disappointing.
He said: “It’s a short-sighted move and the cabinet member needs to reconsider.”
Majid Rahman, a Labour councillor in Victoria ward, which covers Maindee, said he uses the area’s library regularly, and remembered visiting the library at least once a week when he was growing up in Maindee.
“It would be a real shame if future generations growing up in Maindee may not have the same opportunity of having a library so near to their homes,” he said.
Comments on the proposal can be made at www.newport.gov.uk/haveyoursay by January 25.
Comments(4)
Severn40
says...
4:41pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Think about how many people actually use the facilities in the Tennis Centre or come for that matter the Newport Centre? The Riverfront's attendances are not that great either and requires a significant level of subsidy. Why don't we close that as well?
What we need are Council leaders that are prepared to roll up their sleeves, forget their egos and their stature and tackle the budget in a fundamentally different way.
They should be asking what does Newport need, what is important and what do we have to provide by law. Starting from first basics and then build up the budget. Throughout they should also ask the question can we deliver this in a better way.
Instead, we have an approach that says we have a budget gap - what we can cut. Its a crude way of going about things.
Woodgnome
says...
5:26pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Severn40 wrote:I agree with that - you start with essential services and then work up. Lke I said little satelite libraries would have little chance of surviving but one central library might. The survivial and economy of the city would be a very high priority - without a thriving city there would be no need for a city at all. It would send "Old" Labour Councils like ours into apoplexy as they couldn't hack it and would want to preserve everything...
If we apply the logic of using footfall as the principal determinant of whether facilities should remain open or not, we risk losing a large bulk of our leisure facilities.
Think about how many people actually use the facilities in the Tennis Centre or come for that matter the Newport Centre? The Riverfront's attendances are not that great either and requires a significant level of subsidy. Why don't we close that as well?
What we need are Council leaders that are prepared to roll up their sleeves, forget their egos and their stature and tackle the budget in a fundamentally different way.
They should be asking what does Newport need, what is important and what do we have to provide by law. Starting from first basics and then build up the budget. Throughout they should also ask the question can we deliver this in a better way.
Instead, we have an approach that says we have a budget gap - what we can cut. Its a crude way of going about things.
Bobevans
says...
8:45pm Wed 16 Jan 13
In the past services have been provided without regard for cost and wirhout regard or usage
I would saay that in general at least 80% of revenues should come from users of the facilities and no more than 20% from taxation
Cost have to be bought under control. We cannot carry on spending more money than is in the budget,
Woodgnome says...
3:56pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Unlike other the Councils of other cities, Newport Council has.failed ours.