Fresh fight to save under-threat Wolverhampton library
An attempt to save one of four libraries in Wolverhampton, which is due to be closed and the facilities moved to a new location, will be made tomorrow night.
Councillor Richard Whitehouse is to propose a motion calling on Wolverhampton City Council's cabinet to carry out an equalities impact assessment and develop a travel plan for its planned move of Spring Vale Library from Hateley Drive to the former Parkfield High School, in Wolverhampton Road East, where it will become a "community hub" with a youth centre.
The motion by the Liberal Independent councillor for Spring Vale, going before the full council, calls for the cabinet to use the information to reconsider its decision.
Other libraries set to close and move are Warstones, Ashmore Park and Collingwood. A decision is still to be made over a possible move for Bilston Library.
Finchfield, East Park, Low Hill, Whitmore Reans and Penn libraries were spared after a lengthy consultation which saw thousands of signatures gathered on petitions.
Councillor Whitehouse will ask councillors to vote that "this council instructs the cabinet to instigate an equalities impact assessment and to also develop a travel plan for the proposed move of the Spring Vale library, Hateley Drive, Parkfield to the former Parkfield Schoo, in Wolverhampton Road East, Parkfield.
"Once these are concluded then the cabinet is instructed to use this information to reconsider the proposed relocation of the library."
If Tories and Liberal Democrats support him he will have 16 votes. But the ruling Labour party has 44 councillors and the motion will require major dissent within the party to succeed.
Meanwhile councillors will tonight discuss plans to move Collingwood Library to a self-service into Broadway Gardens, a very sheltered housing scheme.The scrutiny board has been asked to consider the rationale for the move and the implications for residents.
