Conservative Councillors
Conservative Councillors
for Denby Dale Ward
Cllr John Cook
Gunthwaite Top Farm
Denby Lane, Upper Denby
HUDDERSFIELD HD8 8UN
01484 863184
[email protected]
Cllr Elaine Ward
119 Commercial Road
Skelmanthorpe
Huddersfield HD8 9DX
01484 863797
[email protected]
Cllr Jim Dodds B.E.M.
Dearnfield House
1a Dearnfield
Upper Cumberworth
Huddersfield HD8 8NX
01484 603227
[email protected]
Our Ref: JC/CH
Tuesday 13th March 2012
Cllr Shabir Pandor
Cabinet members with Resources portfolio
c/o Executive Support
Councillors Support
Princess Street
Huddersfield
HD1 2TT
Dear Shabir,
Yesterday we held a Ward Forum Meeting at the Methodist Church
in Denby Dale to primarily discuss with residents the proposals to
run a Denby Dale Community Library.
We have attached to this letter the comments made to us by
residents and would be grateful if you could respond to the many
questions that were asked.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Jim Dodds B.E.M.Cllr Elaine Ward
Enc.
DENBY DALE WARD FORUM MEETING MONDAY 12TH MARCH 2012
In no particular order the following points were made by those
attending the Denby Dale Ward Forum to discuss the proposals put
forward for the future of libraries in Kirklees.
1. The meeting was attended by 39 residents and there were
questions from 18 of them all speaking with a passion and
consideration. They understood the problem but generally questioned
the strategy proposed by the cabinet.
2. People wanted timelines and plans so that they knew when they
could influence what was being proposed.
3. One parent pointed out that the Denby Dale library was the
only public space and one where parents felt safe to let older
children use it alone.
4. Why have the present administration selected 7 libraries to
be community run and why has there not been a revue of the whole
library service.
5. Has a needs assessment been carried out for all libraries in
Kirklees?
6. If libraries become community led they will be a book
exchange facility only.
7. The present Cabinet should not have just put out one proposal
but shown leadership and put forward a number of alternatives.
8. There was a shocked response to the fact that the Cabinet
member responsible had failed to reply to emails from a Ward
Councillor asking for clarification on the proposals.
9. It seems that the decision has already been made and the
consultation is just a tick the box exercise.
10. The consultation is just a sham and the present
administration have taken the easy option not to close libraries
but to propose that they become community run. They have done this
to avoid possible legal action being taken against them by
residents.
11. The staff that work at libraries are fundamental to the
efficiency of that Library and some have worked there for
years.
12. The library in Denby Dale is much more than a book lender,
it is the venue for many other groups to use covering the whole age
spectrum. It is a hub for a variety of other activities.
13. If the library becomes community run, who will own the
building, pay for the upkeep and the utilities bills.
Continued…..
14. How long will it take to train volunteers and how much will
it cost ? Will the council continue to support and fund that
training.
15. If the opening hours across Kirklees Libraries were reduced,
would it be possible to have a professional member of staff at all
libraries assisted by volunteers?
16. A number expressed their concern that Community libraries
would become isolated from the professional run libraries in
Kirklees.
17. Volunteers cannot replace years of experience from
professional staff but can be used to ease the problem.
18. Rural wards are having to pay the price of the reduction in
funding when urban libraries are left untouched.
19. Denby Dale Ward pays the highest council tax and once again
what they receive for this is being watered down.
20. Whatever the outcome it is important that if the financial
climate changes, if libraries become community led they could and
would be brought back into council funding if possible.
21. They were concerned about keeping the building stock in
house and not transferring the assets thus leaving open the option
to increase staff in better times.
22. The ‘Delf’ model in Oldham was mentioned. It would seem that
this became a community library but closed soon after because it
had been set adrift by the council and there was concern that this
would happen in Kirklees.
