£500,000 'historic' bailout from Sutton Coldfield council set to save two Birmingham libraries amid financial crisis

The future of the city’s libraries have been a cause for concern for many residents amid Birmingham Council’s financial turmoil and unprecedented cuts to services.

A report this year said the Labour authority’s divisive plans would see opening hours for council-led, statutory library provision slashed from 1,049 to 763 hours a week.

Numerous libraries also faced closure if a partner organisation didn’t step in to help.

These include Boldmere and Walmley in the Sutton Coldfield area, which has seen its town centre library recently close due to the condition of the building and safety concerns.

But Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council (RSCTC) confirmed it had reached a “landmark decision” last month as it voted to “save” Boldmere and Walmley libraries, as well as community centres in Mere Green and Walmley.

This means funding of around £505,000 per year will be provided by the Conservative authority.

It went on to say that these “crucial community assets” will form part of a new service to be launched on November 1 by the town council.

Coun Rob Pocock, the Birmingham Council cabinet member overseeing the council’s transformation, described the move as a “historic agreement” and a “milestone achievement” at a meeting this week.

But he also acknowledged it’s not always been an “easy relationship” between the Labour-run city council and Conservative-run town council.

“It’s a shared partnership agreement between these two councils,” he continued. “Different political mix but a common understanding that we need to work together for the benefit of the residents.”

Conservative councillor Ewan Mackey, who represents Sutton Roughley, said: “It’s really great the libraries are going to stay open.

“But I just think it’s so important that we have genuine working together and it doesn’t end up with Birmingham Council swamping people who are trying to work with it.”

Coun Saima Suleman, Labour cabinet member in Birmingham, responded by saying one of the key parts of the city’s library transformation project was “forging partnerships”.

Birmingham Council cabinet members agreed on Tuesday to accept the funding for the libraries and community centres from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council.

A report confirmed Birmingham City Council will remain responsible for delivering the service, including staffing.

“The model would see the current service levels at the libraries and community centres continue but with an additional day at Mere Green library paid for by RSCTC,” it added.

Tensions between councils

Leader of the Royal Sutton Council Town Council, Coun Simon Ward, previously spoke out against the city council’s controversial library plans.

“The launch of the Town Council’s Library and Community Centre Service represents a real landmark in local delivery,” the Conservative councillor said last month.

“The shameful decision of Birmingham City Council to decimate these crucial services in our Royal Town could not go unchecked.

“We have listened to the voices of residents who told us just last year that they wanted us to look at the cuts of BCC and where we could responsibly step in to do so.”

Sir Andrew Mitchell MP added: “I applaud this initiative by the Town Council and the efforts of local campaigners John Cooper and Anja Pawson and councillors in Walmley.

“Again, the Town Council is showing financial responsibility and listening while Labour BCC continues to damage and degrade important local services.”

Birmingham Council’s plans will see community libraries and information services integrated to create a new Connected Communities service.

This will involve ten community hubs being established across the city, which it says will “support residents with localised activities and support on their doorstep”.

“The proposed Connected Communities service will maintain library and advice services in safe spaces open to all,” Coun Suleman said earlier this year.

“Despite the need to make savings, we aim for the service to provide a comprehensive coverage across the city,” a council spokesperson added.

Several issues have contributed to the financial turmoil at Birmingham City Council, including the equal pay debacle, inadequate budget setting, demand led pressures and the disastrous implementation of a new IT system.

Labour politicians have also highlighted the impact of previous funding cuts during the previous Conservative government.