Council won't step in to keep library as it would double council tax
A town council will not step in to stop a library moving in with a museum because it may force council tax up by double.
Welshpool's Library service is being moved in with the Powysland Museum in a move by the council that will see the current library building become council offices.
There has been a march through the town and numerous calls for the plans to be scrapped which have fallen on deaf ears.
Welshpool Town Council has previously showed intent to take the service over to preserve its current status, however the idea has now been binned.
Town Clerk Robert Robinson said it was because the plans would have meant that council tax would have had to double.
He said: "A meeting has been held between Welshpool Town Council and Powys County Council regarding the relocation of the library to the Powysland Museum. It was very pleasant and meaningful meeting with full discussion around alternatives.
"There were a number of options which involved the town council and these have been evaluated and considered at length.
"The main issue for the town council is the cost of alternative solutions would see a fairly large rise the town’s council tax, which in essence be double taxation."
He said: "The town council, while still not happy with the library moving from its current location, does have to consider the cost to the Welshpool council tax payer bearing in mind the outcry regarding the 2019 increases and ability to pay.
"The county has confirmed that they are committed to providing both the library and museum services in Welshpool in the combined location of the Powysland Museum location.
"The town council has decided not to intervene and to take note of the taxpayer’s views and not increase the council tax any more than is absolutely necessary."
