Most of the Wirral libraries put on the brink of closure earlier this year could survive.
In February, Wirral Council’s budget featured almost £20m worth of cuts, which involved ending the council’s support for nine libraries, among several other leisure services. The move caused huge upset in many parts of the borough.
Commenting on a petition to save Hoylake Library, one of those at risk, Helen van Marle said: “This library is vital for the residents of Hoylake. It has been a huge part of this community for as long as I can remember and it still is.
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“Not everyone is able to get to West Kirby. Don't take away everything that we have, books and learning will always be needed and we love our local library.”
But the council’s move to stop running the nine libraries has given local groups the chance to take them over under the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process. Now, bids to save seven of the nine libraries which were up for closure could clear a vital first hurdle, although two libraries are set to close.
Libraries in Hoylake, Irby, Pensby, Prenton, Wallasey, Woodchurch and Higher Bebington will all see bids for a CAT to keep them going taken forward, as long as a June 16 meeting of Wirral Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee approves them.
Community groups will still have more to do to save their libraries and must get business plans approved before taking them over, but the fact several bids could get through to 'Stage Two' of the process is a major step forward for those wanting to protect cherished local assets. However, libraries in Bromborough and New Ferry are set to close on October 30, as no one has come forward with bids to save them.
But expressions of interest were received for the Bromborough Civic Centre, of which the library is part, and they are set to be referred to another committee meeting for consideration. New Ferry's library is based in a school and the library space will be used by the school for educational purposes.
Local groups will have some financial support to keep their libraries going. The council has allocated £282,000 to support those running the libraries in their first year of operation. The local authority has also pledged £500,000 out of its capital budget, for infrastructure projects, to support investment to improve their physical condition where this is needed.
