Planning committee 'objects' to Kidderminster Library gallery changes (From Kidderminster Shuttle)
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Planning committee 'objects' to Kidderminster Library gallery changes
2:00pm Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Kidderminster
By William Tomaney
WYRE Forest District Council’s planning committee has voted to object to a change of use by Worcestershire County Council for Kidderminster Library’s top-floor gallery.
Planning officer John Baggott’s “no objection” recommendation was overturned by planning bosses at the meeting last night.
The county council is consulting the district council on the proposals, which would see 139 staff move into office on the top floor of the library. Gallery space would move to the ground floor and the Steinway piano would be moved to the first floor.
It followed a “day of action” protest against plans held earlier in the day by the Friends of Kidderminster Library Gallery outside the town hall.
At the meeting, Liberal councillor Fran Oborski put forward the motion to object describing the planned replacement as "totally inadequate".
After two members had declared an interest the motion was carried with nine voters in favour, four abstaining and one against.
County council member with responsibility for libraries and learning service, Conservative John Campion, said he had to save £1.8 million from the service.
“This is a process of consultation and this is the planning committee’s view,” he added, “We want to hear people’s views and this is exactly what we are getting.
“We need to be certain we can balance the financial circumstances we find ourselves in - through no fault of the county council - with the needs of our community.”
Tuesday’s protest coincided with a county council “have your say” event, which was dominated by the issue.
KAF Creatives chairman Heather Wastie said: “We are gathering support. There are so many people behind this now they cannot ignore us.”
People attending the “day of action” included members of the arts community, who argue the gallery is purpose built and its quality could not be retained if moved elsewhere.
Comments(10)
Neville Farmer
says...
11:30pm Wed 13 Jun 12
There are other sites that Social Services could use rather than squander the £300,000+ investment the lottery made in the gallery and performance space just ten years ago.
Social Services can go to Syon Hill's empty primary school and proper management of the performance space can help it pay for itself.
The County has been visionless and cultureless over this matter.
philcollins
says...
12:44am Thu 14 Jun 12
He (and others) must be stark staring mad if he thinks he can slip anything detrimental to the library under the radar. To attempt to do so must be to not understand Kidderminster folks’ long memory of what was perpetrated by the cultural morons of yesteryear. Present-day Philistines, sadly, are still thick on the ground.
If you circumvent the planning decision you will lose your job at the next election. It’s as simple as that!
Stephen Brown
says...
8:50am Thu 14 Jun 12
I am glad that our local planning committee saw through this political machination for what it was.
The fact that the recommendation was originally 'no objection' was a farce; especially when it was clear the report produced was flawed and went against the council's own planning policies. Either it was poorly researched in which case I ask why? Or someone somewhere in the district council was attempting to politically manipulate the report and this process for the county council's benefit. The question is which was it?
It's one battle won in the war. The big one remains the county council's planning committee 10th July. They are going to feel some pressure starting right now and the eyes of the distrcit will be on them.
The sensible thing for them to do is withdraw their county planning application and start to talk to the Friends group properly instead of trying to dictate terms. If that happens we are sure that a solution acceptable to all parties can be found - question is - do the county want to talk, resolve or just dictate? LET'S SEE WHAT THEY SAY AND JUST HOW SINCERE THEY ARE............
HowardM
says...
12:19pm Thu 14 Jun 12
I spoke to Adrian Hardman (Leader of WCC) on Tuesday outside the Town Hall - it was an interesting and open chat. He is a man for whom I have always had respect. He said "people want social services, schools, elderly care etc - they don't care about the arts and we don't legally have to provide it - therefore it is an easy option to cut it." At least he was honest! When Sion Hill and two other options were mentioned he said he "hadn't thought of them" but he was open to a plan that provided the savings he needed to make on Elgar House, from where staff would be moved into the Gallery. It seems he is not properly briefed on these matters? Whose fault is that? The Gallery retention is possible and practical - it just needs one or two people to come down off their "high horse" a bit and talk - for the good of Wyre Forest.
John Campion
says...
10:43pm Thu 14 Jun 12
The county council and I continue to be open to hearing how the library service can save this money in an alternative way.
Stephen Brown
says...
11:00am Fri 15 Jun 12
I think you will find that unless you cease to continue dictating the terms for any meetings by pushing your own agenda, they will resolve nothing and you will not get any further meetings with them. They say you are NOT listening.
You actually need to meet with the Friends group which represents the different organisations involved on the basis of an 'open' dialogue. That means no council driven agenda and a proper consultation. Further you should suspend or withdraw your planning application until a settlement is reached - that is how to do it properly, not hold a loaded gun to someone's head which is effectively what the council is doing.
Neville Farmer
says...
4:16pm Fri 15 Jun 12
DOEPUBLIC
says...
11:26pm Fri 15 Jun 12
jon cooper
says...
3:26pm Sat 16 Jun 12
icute2000 says...
7:27pm Wed 13 Jun 12