Four libraries closed by Wirral Council could be taken over by schools and community groups if final talks go ahead.
The sites closed when the local authority shut nine libraries, two golf courses, and a leisure centre as part of its 2022 budget cuts. This started a process of accepting bids to reopen the libraries under community ownership if they were successful.
The proposal to move ahead with final talks will decide the future of libraries in Higher Bebington, Woodchurch, Wallasey Village and Irby if voted through by councillors next week. Two other libraries took this step last year in Prenton and Pensby and will be transferred into community hands.
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This is separate from the current proposals to close libraries and cut a number of services currently being decided by councillors for the 2023/24 budget.
Decisions on Hoylake golf course and Woodchurch leisure centre have been pushed back however.
Wallasey Village Library and Irby Library could move into the hands of Friends groups while Higher Bebington library would be taken over by the Co-op Academy Bebington. Woodchurch Library would be used by a nearby school as a warm hub and for children with special education needs.
Wallasey Cllr Ian Lewis said: “We are just delighted we have finally reached this stage and that the library will soon be re-opening as a library. We were very keen to see that it remained so and just keen to get going really.
“The community has been really supportive in helping us with various aspects of the transfer progress. They have been an integral part of the bid.”
Higher Bebington library had previously been recommended for demolition if plans to transfer it to the Co-Op failed but councillors asked for other options to be considered first.
Cllr Jason Walsh said: “We are pleased in a couple of ways. The community will be able to benefit from the Co-Op being able to take it over for educational purposes. It should be really good and we are glad to see it stay as a much loved asset in Bebington.”
Hoylake Library however would be sold off or rented out for commercial purposes after a bid for its takeover was rejected. This, according to the proposal, is because of its central location.
The Quirky Cafe, which was helping with the bid, said: “We tried with every bit of all we had to get it right but sadly it wasn’t enough.”
Meanwhile Bromborough Civic Centre, and the library based there, will begin the first stage of the process to move into community hands but Brackenwood Golf Course will not.
A council report said this was because of competition with other golf courses on the Wirral as well as the council’s local plan. The local authority is proposing to move ahead with creating sports pitches on the golf course and improving biodiversity in the area.
A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “At present, these are recommendations to be brought to members of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee for debate and a final decision at their meeting on February 2nd.”
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