Art gallery under threat

Walsall Council has drawn up a list of buildings including the town centre gallery, Walsall Central Library and Museum, Bloxwich Library Theatre and Walsall Local History Centre which it says need major investment to ensure they can stay open or continue offering the same service in the next few years.

Several leisure centres may also have to shut after the council conceded there is no plan in place to invest the large amounts of money needed to keep them open.

The problems are highlighted in the council's corporate asset management plan for 2006 to 2011 identifying where building repairs, maintenance and upgrading are needed and whether there is likely to be enough money available in the council's budget.

The report states the New Art Gallery "may not be cost effective to repair" because of the uniqueness of the original building materials used, Walsall Central Library and Museum is "inadequate for future service delivery requirements" and the Local History Centre "has become inadequate for the storage of archives and is in need of major internal and external maintenance."

It also states there are health and safety concerns about the condition of the building and facilities at Bloxwich Library Theatre and some of the borough's town halls are unsuitable as performance venues and are being under used.

Darlaston Town Hall is to remain closed indefinitely on health and safety grounds because the council is unsure whether it has enough money for repairs.

The council cabinet will discuss the corporate asset management plan tomorrow.

By Emma Tate