The Labour-run Calderdale Council is seeking to sell Hipperholme Library at auction on Tuesday 19 July, despite an ongoing Government investigation inquiring into alleged deficiencies in the Council’s decision-making process.
The Calderdale Conservative Group and Craig Whittaker MP allege that the Labour-Cabinet have fettered their duty to consult the public immediately before agreeing to close eight libraries across Calderdale in November 2020 - despite many warnings by the Calderdale Conservatives.
The Calderdale Conservatives have submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary of State of the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), who is now investigating whether the Council can discharge its statutory duties in providing a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service. If found against the Council, a public inquiry will be launched.
The DCMS has not issued any findings, and the Calderdale Conservatives say that any sale of a library whilst the Government is undertaking its investigation is prejudicing the Council’s ability to rescind their non-compliant action of closing libraries across the Borough. This is because the Council would be unable to re-open the libraries and consult with the public, because they have sold the building.
Cllr George Robinson (Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) says: “We contend that the Council should have consulted with the public immediately prior to library closures. If the DCMS do consider that the Council should have consulted, then the department will issue a ‘minded to’ launch a public inquiry letter. There has only ever been one such public inquiry, because most local authorities rescind their library closures to avoid incurring cost and reputational damage.
“The Council’s current plan to sell Hipperholme Library risks backing the Council into a corner. The Labour-Cabinet and the Council are exposing the Council to unnecessary risk. The Council must remove Hipperholme Library from sale at the auction, or risk frustrating the Government’s investigation.”
Cllr Steven Leigh, the Leader of the Conservative Group added “the Labour-run Council is jumping the gun in seeking to prematurely dispose of Hipperholme Library, before the Secretary of State has even come to her conclusion on this matter. Once again, the Labour Cabinet are making decisions behind closed doors, and failing to uphold the tenets of transparency and accountability.”
