Debate over library plans (From Stroud News and Journal)

8:18am Wednesday 28th March 2007

COMMUNITY leaders in Painswick have criticised plans to buy the threatened library building, saying they are unrealistic and unclear.

Members of the working party set up to secure the town's Grade II listed building presented their ideas at Wednesday's parish council meeting.

They announced proposals to form a village trust with charitable status, which would make a financial offer to the county council.

But Cllr Terry Parker, parish chairman, said the only group empowered to make an offer at the present time is the parish council.

"This trust is downstream - it has no bank account and no charitable status," he said.

"If we make a formal offer it will be legally binding and we will become the negotiating party.

"I'm nervous about this, and I know I sound negative but I'm trying o be realistic - where are you gong with this?

"We don't know what purpose the building will be put to, who the tenants will be or whether it will be sustainable."

Cllr Ann Daniels said the council has a duty to maintain and support buildings in surrounding villages.

"We can't throw money into this just because it's in the middle of Painswick," she said.

"If the library was thriving we wouldn't be in this position."

Cllr Jeanne Berry said the council and the trust would struggle to afford the running costs of the building.

"The sums are astronomical," she said.

"The county council has millions of pounds but they can't afford it - and we can?"

But Cllr Ann Burges Watson urged members to take a leap of faith.

"The community supports this and I think we honour what residents are saying," she said.

"We are bemoaning the loss of the bank and post office - this building could potentially house services like these."

Cllr's David Hudson and Peter Rowe said without the parish council's support it is an impossible task.

"We are £50,000 short of what the county council is asking for but if they say no, that's fine - it's over," said Cllr Rowe.

"It's difficult to know exactly who will be using the building because this detail can't be worked out in five minutes, and we've got a time limit.

"We've got to at least try - making an offer would indicate our commitment to the project."

The council agreed to write to the county council, setting out the financial situation and its support for the working party.

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