SIX rebel councillors face disciplinary action by their party for revolting against a raft of library closures.
Wirral council’s decision to close several public buildings caused splits within the Liberal Democrat group, with almost one third of its members opposing the plan.
The six councillors voted with the Conservative opposition against the closures, which were agreed by the Labour and Lib Dem groups under their power-sharing agreement.
But three Eastham councillors – Phil Gilchrist, Dave Mitchell and Tom Harney – voted with colleagues Steve Niblock, Pat Williams and Paula Southwood against the proposal at key stages of a recent council meeting where it was passed.
A Lib Dem group meeting was initially arranged for today to discuss what disciplinary action would be taken against the dissidents, but was deferred.
When the group does meet, the six councillors will be given an opportunity to defend their decision to rebel.
The entire group will then decide on appropriate action, which could range from a “slap on the wrist” to being expelled from the Liberal Democrat party.
Meanwhile, Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford has announced he will meet the local government ombudsman on Friday in a bid to halt the closures. He has prepared a report opposing the Strategic Asset Review, which he will present to the Ombudsman in York. Beforehand, he will meet constituents at Hoylake library,
Efforts to create a new political party for Wirral to oppose the cuts continue, with one of the key players, Alec McFadden, of Wirral TUC, continuing his call for a referendum on the plan.
A similar demand by Wirral’s Conservative group was defeated at a heated council meeting in December last year.
The original proposal indicated some of the buildings lined up for closure could be shut by the end of the financial year in just six weeks time.
Mr McFadden said: “We will be peaceful, but we will stop them closing these buildings down.”
A spokesman for Wirral council said the closure programme was still being developed.
He said: “No dates have been fixed yet and there is no indication when they will start.”
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