Protestors outside Wallasey Town Hall _320
A MOVE by Wirral’s Conservative group to demand a referendum on the planned widespread closure of libraries, leisure centres and community centres was defeated at a heated meeting of the full council last night.
Once again, members of the public made their feelings known about the proposed closure of dozens of the borough’s cultural and leisure buildings, starting with a demonstration outside Wallasey town hall and followed by barracking of councillors from the gallery during the course of the meeting.
A series of petitions protesting about the closures – or “strategic asset review” – were handed in before proceedings got under way, containing around 24,000 signatures in total.
Around 10 questioners, each drawn from the public, were then allowed to grill the cabinet member responsible for culture, tourism and leisure, Cllr Bob Moon.
He was asked about where all the activities now held at the centres would take place after they were shut down.
He said: “We are working with swimming clubs and schools to accommodate as wide a range of users as possible. But not everyone can be accommodated as they wish. Priority will be given to ensuring all schools will be accommodated at their nearest pool.”
Heather Butler, who teaches adult education classes in local history and who questioned the need to close Upton library, said after the meeting: “It is an outstanding example of 1930s Art Deco architecture, and should be conserved and protected.”
The local authority has said it faces mounting bills for a backlog of repairs on its estate of ageing libraries, leisure centres and museums, and that they are too expensive to heat and maintain.
In their place, the council has said it wants to invest £20m over four years to develop a network of “state-of-the-art multi-purpose complexes”.
Speaking for his motion – which included a proposal for a “Wirral-wide referendum” – Tory opposition leader Cllr Jeff Green said: “These proposals will rip the heart out of our community. Did anybody consider the impact on users of these proposals? The answer is no.
