Stourport Library could be moved to civic centre (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

If, - and it's worth highlighting the word 'IF' - the proposed transfer takes place of the Civic Centre complex, then Stourport Library WILL relocate to a much smaller facility within Stourport Civic Centre; with a suggested unique council tax hike for the Stourport taxpayer.

If the transfer fails, then Stourport-on-Severn will possibly lose a variety of frontline services - as well as Wyre Forest's centre of the arts - the Civic Hall.

With the current situation with the proposed plans for the library facilities being put on hold in Kidderminster and Bewdley, then i really do fear the worst for the already fragile situation at Stourport, and throughout the enitre county library service.

With regards to Wyre Forest; the apathetic attitude to Stourport Civic Centre, and the town it serves is completly diabolical in my opinion. This apathy proves beyond any doubt where Stourport lies in the minds of our so called representitives, who should surely in a fair and democratic society be showing a much lesser unbiased approach !

Whatever happens now regarding the future of Stourport Library and other frontline services; it is far, far too late for this apathy ever to be bridged !

Are the press releases that the council give the press that bad? This article leaves a lot to be explained.

Why close the library building at all? Is it being closed just for a library? Is the building falling down? Is it currently fit for purpose? ( It sounds as if it is?) Is the current library building going to be knocked down?

What is the advantage to library users ( I assume there are enough of them) if the library moves to the civic centre?

Is it going to be a smaller library? Is the library going to be a dedicated space?

What consultation? The only consultation being carried on by Worcestershire County Council is online which leaves a considerable number of current and potential library users potentially unconsulted.

Where are the hard copies in all the libraries across the region ( indeed in the entire UK) so that EVERYONE may be consulted?

None of these questions have been answered in this article>

One would expect a respected local paper such as this to be more informative and also far more radical in the defence of our libraries.

Government cuts to councils were supposed to lead to greater efficiency, not to mass library closures, volunteer run libraries, sharing of council facilities within ONE cramped building etc. etc. Meanwhile county councillor allowances and expenses go up and up. Barbarians!

It will be totally unacceptable and indeed a trajedy if Stourport were to lose its library and I echo the concerns above.

The council claim such a closure is not on its agenda. That may be true from what they say but and this is the BIG but; the combined actions of WFDC (new hq) and WCC (cuts) have lead to the current uncertainty over both the civic and in-turn the future of the library, even if Kathy Kirk finds that 'exciting'.

When I met John Campion and Neil Anderson, those responsible for our libraries, back in March this year, they made a lot of noise about promises on consultation. Most of that was all talk, just look at Kidderminster. So I hope we are not going to get more of the same WCC tactic here because I for one will certainly not stay quiet.

We also talked about the future of the civic centre as I was particularly worried that short term thinking would damage the viability of the civic, and the library if that's where it moves, and that this uncertainty could lead to loss of both. Sadly, the answers I got were not re-assuring as 'short-term' is their current mantra. The £100,000 per year cost highlighted above for the library versus the overall £1.8 million cut highlights this and is very very worrying if that is the basis of their thinking. WCC have not done a cultural impact assessment either across theior portfolio to ensure consistency of application and service. I wonder why? A £200,000 grant to the elite Ashmolean Museum in Broadway expsose their hypocrisy to cultural; services. A lovely new 'Hive' PFI Library in Worcester does the same at £1million a year. In that context £100,000 per year is not a lot of investment in a small town like Stourport just to maintain and keep our own library.

Anyone who actually thought public spending cuts would lead to greater efficiency is sadly mistaken. It actually means job cuts, service reductions and a trawl to get volunteers to do the work of paid professionals aka the voluntary sector - at the same time govt and councils are cutting funding in the voluntary sector too; some £2billion worth of cuts actually across the country. Councils have been 'cutting' for the best part of 3 years already and are at the 'bone' with little slack left and with no sign of a let-up while WCC is planning more, another £20 million on top of its current £70 million. Why? The chief executive tells me its 'extrapolation'. In other words, once the tories get the bitt between the teeth, they can't help themsleves but to cut valuable public services, where it suits them. A policy doomed to failure which has always failed compared to keynsian economic theory.

I hope the public send WCC councillors and in turn the govt a strong message next May in the county elections.

For the last 18 months it's been well known in inner circles the situation regarding Stourport Civic Centre and the facilities and artistic groups that rely on it. It is also an issue that has been mostly forgotten elsewhere in Wyre Forest !

"Our library pays for county's 'lavish' spending", (The Shuttle: 01/06/12):-

As it stands currently regarding the issues of the county library service within Wyre Forest; the word 'OUR' should be replaced with the name 'STOURPORT' and the term 'COUNTY' should be added with the term 'DISTRICT'. This correction would show the real story here !

And what price for Stourport to retain a library and civic facility in any form ? A significantly downsized library within a community building with a suggested hike in council tax contributions for the residents of Stourport; and this is only if any form of transfer of the Civic Centre complex is realized !

I have been continually disgusted with how the county library review has panned out, as i have been in how Stourport Civic Centre has been dealt an apathetic blow by most of our district representation !

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Just as a side issue here, and it's fair to say that i'll be accused of making "SWEEPING STATEMENTS" - but what the hell:-

Personally i feel it is long overdue that the many volunteers who have given the Civic Hall a new lease of life to secure a future for the arts in Wyre Forest should at long last be recognized in any future edition of The Shuttle. The hard work and time to turn the fortunes of Stourport Civic Hall around for the sake of the arts in the WHOLE of the district has been truly amazing and shows what can be achieved with a little imagination and good housekeeping !

I highlight again that these people are VOLUNTEER based with no personal agenda whatsoever, only a love for their particular art.

Many Thanks !