Here we go again, only back in control for three weeks and already Labour is threatening our libraries, clearly they have not learned the lessons of the past. Read more by clicking HERE. My message to the Cabinet Member, Cllr Chris Meaden is clear. If you are going to be creative, use the £240,000 the Conservatives put into this years Council budget to improve Wirral’s libraries….. Of course Labour would not be able to go down this road if it wasn’t for the nine empty seats vacated by the Lib Dems?
Tag: Sue Charteris
‘U Turn’ Number 3!
Last night Wirral’s ruling Labour Led, and Lib Dem Cabinet met to determine Wirral Council’s budget for the next 12 months. I understand they have set a budget that will increase council tax by 1.67% and have built into the base budget for future years a sum that will keep Guinea Gaps bath open.
After the humiliating ‘U Turns’ on the Libraries issue, closely followed by another ‘U’ Turn’ on the Academy issue, it appears that Steve Foulkes and is cabinet disciples have no shame, and have ‘U Turned’ yet again on Guinea Gap baths. I am of course delighted that this much used, much needed and well love facility will remain, as will the libraries, and they like Guinea Gap will remain because of the tremendous pressure put on by local residents and the Conservatives.
However one has to ask, why did the Council Leader embark on his Strategic Asset Review, why did he want to close our libraries, swimming pools and leisure centres, he told us then it was because Wirral was in dire financial straights, yet now, he says that Wirral is in a good financial position? Anyone would think an election was due! Surely Cllr Foulkes would not be that cynical………… Would he?
I’m Right, Even When I’m Wrong!
Last night at full Council, The Great Leader, as dubbed by my colleague, Cllr Ian Lewis made it clear that he totally disagreed with the damning findings of the Sue Charteris report in the Wirral’s Library fiasco. Is this the same Cllr Foulkes who welcomed the Public Inquiry into Wirral’s Library closure programme? Of course it is, but sadly while welcoming the inquiry, which he believed would vindicate his cultural vandalism in Wirral, he, and lets not forget his sidekick, the Lib Dem, Simon Holbrook, simply can’t accept the findings, which clearly said, he, and they got it wrong! Well it is panto season isn’t it!
DAMNED!
At long last we have sight of the report by by Sue Charteris into the Labour plan to close our libraries. Click HERE for a copy of the report.
Having now read it, it is no surprise that Steve Foulkes and his cronies made such a humiliating U Turn on the closure programme. The report basically damns their actions! Among the key findings, is this: The Public Inquiry into Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council’s (MBC) Library Service has found the Council’s decision to restructure its Library Service to be in breach of its statutory duties under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 , to provide “comprehensive and efficient public Library Services for all persons desirous to make use thereof”. TIME FOR CHANGE!
L – Day!
I understand that at around lunchtime today the DCMS will be releasing its report into Wirral’s Library fiasco. It is just a couple of days over 12 months ago when Wirral’s ruling Labour/LibDem coalition agreed to consult on the Stategic Asset Review (SAR) which included the closure of many of our Library’s, Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools. Only one day before the first of Wirral’s Library’s was to close, Andy Burnham, the then Minister for the DCMS halted the closures and ordered a public Inquiry into the Library closures. That Inquiry was chaired by Sue Charteris and was held over two days at the Floral Pavillion.
Readers will recall that having had sight of the contents of the draft report from Sue Charteris, the ruling Cabinet, in a clandestine midnight meeting with Council Officers carried out the biggest humiliating U Turn Wirral has ever seen and scrapped the closure programme. Today we will all get to see the contents of the DCMS and Sue Charteris reports. Should make for interesting reading!
The Plot Thickens!
It seems that the Labour Lib Dem ruling Junta did its U turn on Library’s only hours before the Sue Charteris Public Inquiry report was to be published. Read the Wirral Globe exclusive HERE.
Library Inquiry – TIME FOR CHANGE!
In an email response to searching questions asked by the Conservative Group Leader, the Council’s Head of Law Bill Norman, has tried to justify why he only allowed certain people see the Sue Charteris draft report on the Library Inquiry. In his response, he now gives us the name of someone else who has had sight of the report, a name that was not on his original list! Has he forgotten anyone else? He also reveals the true cost of the Barrister used by the Council at the Inquiry. We were told originally the cost would be in the region of £15,000 to £20,000, why then has it come out almost double that original estimation. I think Mr Normans response leaves more questions unanswered, than answered. You can read the text of Mr Normans email by clicking HERE. Read what the Wirral Globe has to say by clicking HERE
Not all the Questions Answered!
Tonight, along with all other Wirral Councillors I received an email from the Council’s Monitoring Officer in response to some of the questions that were asked of him last night and earlier today. Whilst he has told us who the draft Library report was shown to, he has still failed to answer what criteria he used to determine who should see it, and why he did not allow the Leader, or Deputy Leader of the largest group on the Council to see it. I have emailed him again asking for answers to those two questions.
Anyway he admits 13 people have seen the report, 8 of those people are unelected, and therefore unaccountable to the public at the ballot box. Those who have seen it are listed below and all were implicated in ensuring the SAR was implemented……. This just gets worse and worse!
It really is time this discredited administration, and many, if not all of the officers listed above went. Roll on 2010 – TIME FOR CHANGE. Read the Wirral Globe article by clicking here.
Who Saw What, and When?
That was one of the questions asked last night by my colleague, Cllr Ian Lewis of the Council’s Monitoring Officer. The Monitoring officers response, I will reflect on the question before giving my answer! Read what the Daily Post says by clicking here. The question was asked at a special Council meeting called by Wirral’s Conservatives to try to get to the bottom of just what is going on in this Council following the Council leaders humiliating ‘U Turn’ on the Library issue.
I have now sent an email to the Councils Monitoring Officer seeking answers to who saw what? when? And who decided who could and could not see the contents. Seems to me to be unfair? Read what the Wirral Globe says by clicking here
I also pointed out the absolute hypocrisy of some members of the Labour group who were now claiming they spoke out vociferously against the closure of the local library in their ward! If they did speak out vociferously I never heard them, and if that is the case then perhaps they will explain why they supported their leadership, and voted for the closure of libraries? Hypocrisy at a new level!
Sadly, despite making this borough a laughing stock, losing all credibility and trust with the people of wirral, this useless, inept and out of touch Labour/Lib Dem administration steadfastly refuses to resign. The choice is simple go now, or be humiliated in May 2010.
Lab/Lib Dem Humiliating U Turn on Libraries – Extraordinary Council Meeting Requisitioned by the Conservatives!
Following the Humiliating U turn by this discredited Labour/Lib Dem administration in Wirral, and the refusal to allow any debate by Council Leader, Steve Foulkes on the library issues, the Conservatives on Wirral Council have requisitioned an extraordinary Council meeting to seek answers to unanswered questions. The meeting will take place on 12 October, 2009 commencing at 6:15pm and is open to the public. Read the Wirral Globe coverage here and the Council agenda here
CHRIS BLAKELEY 