Councillors’ plea for library

Chadderton councillors want the future of Broadway Library to be put on the agenda at next week’s full council meeting.

But they are having to battle with officers who say the attempt would breach financial rules because it is too vague. Broadway and Stoneleigh libraries are set to close in June because of budget cuts.

But Councillors Colin McLaren and Dave Hibbert want fellow councillors to back their view that an enhanced library facility should remain on the site or in the locality.

They also want proposals for the future library service in the area considered by the Chadderton Area Committee.

But they have been told by Anne Ryans, assistant director of finance, that the move breaches financial rules because it does not spell out what the enhanced service is or how much it would cost, so it would have to be heard at the next ordinary meeting of the council in six weeks’ time.

Councillor Hibbert said: “When the budget was being discussed, we made it absolutely clear that if there is any proposal to close Broadway we would fight it.

“This has got to be properly considered and has been extremely badly handled, showing a deliberate and utter contempt for the people of Chadderton.

“Questions are being put to us at this stage that are completely unreasonable. What the enhanced facility would be would come from the proposals from the local community, advised and guided by financial information provided by her staff. The decision to close it should be withdrawn pending consultation.”