AM Russell George accuses council in Welshpool library row
Montgomeryshire AM Russell George has accused Powys County Council of a lack of transparency over closing the Welshpool's library and moving it in with the museum.
Over 500 people marched through the streets of Welshpool on Saturday ahead of the council moving the library in a cost cutting exercise.
People have continued to protest, despite Powys CC pressing ahead with the move.
Montgomeryshire AM Russell George said it is clear the library is of great importance to the town.
He also said the move comes on the back of poor local government funding, that Mr George has continued to raise in the Welsh Assembly.
See also:
Mr George said: "It is clear that the hundreds of residents that attended the march really value the library service.
"I joined the march as I believe that such services hold great importance in our communities.
"People in Welshpool have just felt that the consultation carried out last year was a futile exercise.
"I fully realise that the council is under significant financial pressures and that once again, the Welsh Government Settlement means that Powys Council received the joint worst local government funding settlements of all 22 local authorities in Wales.
"I understand that because of this, difficult decisions need to be made. Nonetheless, that does not negate the importance of transparency when making such decisions and these decisions should take into account how residents value key services.
"I had the opportunity last week to speak in an Assembly debate on local government funding, and was able to use Welshpool library as an example of a valued service that is being effected due to unfair funding allocations to Mid and North Wales Councils who are seeing cuts to their budgets, whilst South Wales Councils are getting funding increases."
