Last night, despite the opposition of the Welsh Conservative Councillors, the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted for the recommendations to go forward with the move of the Library and Tourist Information Centre to progress to the Council Cabinet next week.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, along with all of the Welsh Conservative Councillors on Conwy County Borough Council, will continue to fight against these proposals, along with listening, and standing up for the residents.
76% of library users have stated that they would find access to the service harder if it is moved to Venue Cymru. This is likely due to 48.3% of respondents to the consultation walking to the library, which is currently located at the centre of the high-street.
This proposed move significantly risks deterring currently active users from being able to access the facilities. This is unacceptable.
Last night Welsh Conservative Councillors raised serious concerns with the lack of and potentially wrong information in the consultation report that was published last week. For example, the cost of currently running the Library was challenged by Cllr Louise Emery, and Cllr Tom Montgomery highlighted that if not done correctly the deficit from Venue Cymru will only grow.
This is an issue that will impact residents across the whole of Aberconwy, and is why the proposed move of Llandudno Library and the Tourist Information Centre must not go ahead.
Other concerning points in the Consultation report, include the findings that:
- 75% of respondents have stated that they would use the library less if moved to Venue Cymru.
- 63% of respondents stated that if the library was moved their spend on Mostyn Street would decrease.
- 65% of respondents would not find the extended opening hours with the relocation as useful.
- 37% of respondents would be less likely to use a hot desk at the library in Venue Cymru.
- 45.4% of respondents have no preference on the library being place on the ground floor.
Commenting on the vote on the Library and Tourist Information Centre move, Janet said:
“Firstly, I want to thank our Welsh Conservative Councillors on C.C.B.C. for opposing this dreadful proposal to move our library and Tourist Information Centre from our high street and the centre of town to Venue Cymru.
“It is time for the Conwy First, Plaid Cymru, and Welsh Labour leadership in this Local Authority to listen to locals, so I call on the Council leader to steer a decision that supports our residents and scraps the proposals.
“Today I have written to the Council Leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey requesting this change.
“The Welsh Conservative Councillors and I will continue to oppose this disastrous move”.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
