'One group pitted against another' - MP accuses council of ‘moral blackmail’ over Walsall Leather Museum decision

MP Valerie Vaz has accused the authority of ‘moral blackmail’ and ‘complete disregard for cultural heritage’.

Following cabinet approval on Wednesday October 15, the building on Littleton Street West will now be sold to Walsall College, while the council purchases a new town centre building to ‘reprovide’ the museum.

The controversial decision, originally made on September 24, was brought before a scrutiny committee after five labour councillors called it in.

It brought the decision back before cabinet members, who doubled down on their stance to go ahead with the plans, still providing very few reasons why the public should support it.

Vaz said questions needed to be asked of Walsall College, with its ‘sizeable estate’, as to why the museum was the only solution to provide a new SEND provision.

She said: “The council has tried to justify its complete disregard not only for cultural heritage and popularity across the UK and internationally, but the impact on Walsall’s leather industry and its potential to build on its world-leading reputation.

“The council has pitted one group against another, heritage campaigners against adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This use of vulnerable people is moral blackmail.

“The council needs to be transparent and set out the costs for finding, refurbishing and staffing a building with the same quality and resources as the Littleton Street West site.

“Questions also need to be asked of Walsall College and its sizeable estate as to why this heritage asset is the only solution to provide a new SEND provision.

“The Leather Museum is not currently suitable for a SEND provision and Walsall College has to make clear how they are planning to use public money to significantly refurbish the site.

“Walsall residents know the story all too well – hasty schemes rammed through while cost effective and sensible plans for the benefit of Walsall are ignored.”

A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “It is not our intention to close Walsall Leather Museum. We are committed to relocating it to a central location within the town and we are liaising with many stakeholders about how the museum can become more viable in the long term.

“There is a need to increase footfall and improve its offer, so it provides value for money and better represents the history and heritage of our borough. We are keen to engage with anyone who has ideas on how we can fulfil the ambitions that we have for the museum.

“Children are at the heart of everything we do as a council, and this move will provide much needed support for local special educational needs and disabilities students at Walsall College.

“A new building is not planned for the site, and its change of use will ensure there is a supported environment for SEND students as part of the main Walsall College campus.”

Walsall College has been approached for statement.