Calderdale village library set to be sold off

Bailiff Bridge Library was closed by Calderdale Council due to health and safety concerns about the building in January 2019 with alternatives including Hipperholme, Brighouse and Halifax’s Central Library being used by most customers.

No library users had complained about the closure of the Devon Way building, officers had reported, but ward councillor Coun George Robinson had objected, triggering consideration by the council’s Cabinet.

Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot), Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, said Coun Robinson wanted money from the sale to stay within the ward.

But, she said: “I am afraid that by and large when we dispose of buildings the money goes to the central pot.”

In some ways this was because some wards were better served than others historically in provision of buildings and the money going into a central pot meant it could be used where it was most needed, she said.

Coun Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden), Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, said alternative options for housing the library in the community had been explored but despite efforts did not meet with success.

Coun Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) said he wanted to make the case because Bailiff Bridge had lost a community asset and it was only fair the money should be reinvested back in Bailiff Bridge.

Liberal Democrat group leader Coun James Baker (Lib Dem) said library services were important, for example a place where people could access the internet, for example, people needing to claim Universal Credit.

He said it was a shame buildings had to be lost because of the council’s financial situation – councillors heard at previous meetings restoring the building was considered uneconomic.

“A lot of people would say it’s almost a deliberate plan to run them down and close them based on the financial situation,” he said.

Coun Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said she refuted that: “I would refute the implication we are running things down deliberately.

“If Government had given us the money we should have had in the last ten years we would have been able to do it and would do it.

“We are in an unfortunate position – but we are where we are because Government haven’t given councils money.”

Coun Silvia Dacre (Lab, Todmorden), Cabinet member for Resources, said money going to the central pot often was also used to benefit all residents including areas where a building like this might be lost.