U-turn move on library pay-out

Councillors are set to reverse the decision not to pay £750 compensation over the closure of Delph Library next week.

Earlier this year the local government Ombudsman ruled that there was maladministration against Oldham Council over the closure of the library, which is now run by a community association.

Ombudsman Anne Seex said councillors were not fully aware of the alternatives in their bid to save £31,000 by closing the library.

She said there was a failure to explain what was included in the saving which led to the closure of the library for two months.

But Labour councillors decided in February, after legal advice, not to pay the money.

The council’s cabinet, now ruled by Liberal Democrat councillors, will meet on Monday to consider a further report by the director of legal and democratic services Aileen Johnson.

She is now recommending that the local authority should accept the Ombudsman’s ruling after reviewing recent cases.

Deputy council leader, Councillor Jackie Stanton, who will chair next Monday’s cabinet meeting, said: “We have looked at things again following a meeting with the Ombudsman and a test case being drawn to our attention.

“Having now checked recent case law on issues like this our view is that the council should accept the finding of maladministration.

“If the meeting agrees to this I will recommend the discretionary payment of £750 to the community association. It is one of those things where we have got to hold up our hands and say we didn’t get it right the first time and make amends.”