Taskforce bid to rescue under-threat Telford services
A council taskforce has been set up to try to save under-threat libraries, markets, youth clubs and community centres in Telford, it has been revealed.
The team will be going out to try to find people or groups prepared to take on the cost and time of running them, a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council's ruling cabinet was told.
It comes as council chiefs pledged axing front-line services would only be a last resort, while one senior cabinet member vowed libraries would close "over his dead body".
The cabinet approved the draft budget strategy at the meeting at Addenbrooke House last night, with a one-month consultation giving residents the chance to have their say starting today.
The budget has identified 32 key saving areas as the authority battles to make £30 million worth of cuts over the next two years.
It includes proposals to close six libraries – Newport, Madeley, Dawley, Stirchley, Donnington and Hadley – and six markets while the future of five community centres and a number of youth clubs also hangs in the balance.
Council finance chief Councillor Lee Carter again blamed Chancellor George Osborne for the cuts at the meeting.
"We are being shortchanged in Telford & Wrekin by £11 million," he said. "There is nothing anyone can do to change these facts. It is folly to blame anyone else but the Chancellor of the Exchequer for this.
"A dedicated team will work with towns and parish councils and the community and voluntary sector to find alternatives. Only as a last resort will these services fail to continue."
Fellow cabinet member Councillor Arnold England said libraries would close "over his dead body".
"We will do all we can to save them," he said.
Senior councillor Shaun Davies vowed the authority would be out and about speaking to people about ways of mitigating the cuts. He said: "Where there is a community-led, cost efficient alternative to closure, we will do all we can to make it happen.
"I hope both the Conservative MPs, the opposition councillors and ourselves can unite to fight for fairer funding for Telford."
The Conservative opposition leader, Councillor Andrew Eade, said the libraries at Madeley and Newport in particular were very well-used and should remain open.
"What we are facing is a challenge, and it is a challenge to which we have to rise," said Councillor Eade. "We will help wherever we can. Yes, it is tough."
The council's Lib Dem and independent leader, Councillor Bill Tomlinson, said he was concerned. He said: "Cuts do have consequences on individuals, often those without the wherewithal to put hands up and say 'this isn't right'."
To take part in the consultation log on to www.telford.gov.uk/budget
