Library-in-the-market plan "huge costs" don't add up

Southport residents were joined by Lib Dem Councillors to collect signatures in support of keeping a temporary library in Southport Town centre during the renovation of the "Cultural Centre"





Conservative and Labour councillors refused to support a motion made by the Liberal Democrats at this weeks SOuthport Area Committee which asked for the ruling "Cabinet" of Sefton Council to reconsider their decision to vote against a temporary Southport town centre library in the Indoor Market because of what they say would be the cost.

A figure of £500,000 has been bandied about. We have challenged this constantly.We have done some detailed research and the real figure cannot be anywhere near this amount. To give just one example: no mention has been made of the Lord Street library savings during its closure e.g. rates, cleaning, maintenance, heating etc.. From council figures that we have obtained these alone could amount to £170,00 to £200,000 over the three years. Looking at the work needed at the Market, there are some unbelievably high suggested costs, even by the usual grossly inflated council estimates. e.g. £25,000 for "Kitchen Ventilation" (this is for a small kitchen with facilities for library staff to make a cup of tea or heat some lunch in a microwave !) That is just one example !

Southport has a number of nationally-known, top quality shopfitting specialist companies. We're convinced that they would blitz the job in no time at all - at a far more reasonable cost. But this suggestion did not impress council officers.

Clearly, certain politicians who haven't done their homework properly, are trying to make the cost as high as possible as an excuse not to provide a temporary town centre library.

To use an old expression: "Where there's a will, there's a way !"