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IMPORTANT PLEASE READ This website and forum has been living on borrowed web server time for years. At the end of this month silsden.net in it's present form will cease to exist, BUT there is a new silsden.net in the making, and a new forum, and lots of exciting new things coming to this space. Peter |
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Replies in this thread : 8
Author |
Topic : THE TOWN HALL LIBRARY you will like this NOT A LOT :( |
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| Peter |
The following is the email correspondence between CW (a Silsden resident) and Nigel Gillatt the Estates Surveyor for Bradford Met regarding the proposed moving of the library to the town hall and the disposal of Wesley Place. (This is reproduced with permission) Dear Nigel ALTERATIONS TO SILSDEN TOWN HALL I am writing regarding my concerns re Bradford Council’s plans for the above. On the day of the ‘consultation’ some of the council staff I spoke to seemed to have little or no knowledge of the scheme and this was not helped by the fact that there were no explanatory notes with the new architects plans or even an existing floor plan of the Town Hall to make sense of the proposed changes. The whole event seems to have been hastily thrown together. In addition, before the ‘consultation’ had even taken place, you had agreed, in the Steering Group meeting that work would be commencing in May. How can this be the case if our concerns had not been listened to and the issues resolved and, by acknowledgement in the minutes of that meeting (incidentally dated 2012 when I assume it was actually 2013!) that several points raised in the Steering Group had not yet been not finalised. I understand that in particular there are still several issues with wheelchair access and internal turning space. I also have several other concerns to which I would like a response:- 1. If the land containing the current library is sold can restrictions/covenants be put in place to ensure the building is not demolished as it is a historic and attractive feature of the town? 2. What will happen to the extra stock of books in the existing library which will not fit into the current council chamber earmarked for its new home? I estimate the number of books available to borrow by Silsden residents will be reduced by at least 50%. 3. If the library is to be self service, and there will be no staff present, how will you stop books being stolen or be able to provide IT assistance with the computers (if we will still have any!) ? 4. What guarantees will be given that Silsden will continue to have recycling facilities equal to those currently located in Wesley Place? 5. What guarantees will be given that the historic furniture (chairs and desks), roll of honour and mayoral photographs etc currently residing in the Town council chamber will be preserved and kept in Silsden. 6. When will a new caretaker be appointed to the Town Hall and what hours will they work? 7. How will the Town Council be able to meet in the rear room if part of it is to be divided off into a storage room? 8. A big show has been made of how, supposedly, moving services to the Town Hall will make them more accessible to everyone in the town. However all those residents who live in the north of the town will not find it so because for them it will be further away and for everyone it will be less accessible because there will be no adjacent parking. Currently you can’t even drop people off outside the Town Hall because of the zebra crossing and the accompanying restrictions and, although I understand there are to be alterations to the crossing, presumably these restrictions will still exist and people will still have to park in Wesley place and walk much further. I would appreciate an immediate answer to all these concerns before Bradford carries on regardless with a scheme that the local community are unsatisfied with. Yours sincerely CW PS Could you please let me know if I am able to attend the next meeting of the Steering Committee, as an observer, when it meets on 17th April? ____________________________ and the response.......... Dear CW Thank you for your comments. The Council is satisfied with the level of consultation over the principle of the Silsden Town Hall refurbishment, the scheme has been approved and it is intended that it be progressed. The purpose of the consultation is to determine the ‘form’ of the scheme, to ensure it meets the aspirations of as broad a spectrum as possible of local and potential users. Notification of the consultation was provided though the press. The following staff were available on the consultation day, with a broad knowledge base; from Estate Management (2), Libraries (2) who were available to discuss how the new library would operate, Public Halls (1) to discuss future management etc and Facilities Management (1) to explain the plans along with the Estate Managers and to discuss more detailed technical matters. Works are currently proposed to start at the end of May provided that the Steering Group are satisfied that all the relevant issues raised in the consultation have been satisfactorily addressed, and all other permissions are in place. Although this date may change, it is envisaged that the works will be progressed around the summer holiday period. As regard your specific points: Covenants will be placed upon the sale to ensure that any future development fits into this sensitive area next to the war memorial in the Silsden Conservation Area. These are yet to be agreed. There will be a reduced stock of books at the new library, e.g. the reference section will not be replaced as this resource is available through the Council’s on-line library services, access to which will be available elsewhere in the Town Hall, other areas of the building will also be used for children’s story telling etc at times when they are not being utilised by other users. There are currently no plans to change the library opening hours, the self service element is an additional service that works elsewhere. It is proposed to relocate the recycling facilities but this has not been dealt with as a priority at this time as it does not become an issue until the open market disposal of the Wesley Place site. It will be up to the Town Council to determine which plaques photos etc that they would like to be displayed upon completion of the refurbishment; however unfortunately their furniture cannot be accommodated in the refurbished Town Hall, as the flexible use of space is considered paramount to maximise the halls future success. There are no plans to re-appoint a permanent caretaker, the scheme is called a transition scheme as it intends to promote more involvement from the community in the running of the hall, hopefully increasing its utilisation. This is proactive scheme that maintains an improved library and public hall in Silsden whilst operating from a lower cost base, which makes them less vulnerable when any future potential cuts are considered. Discussions are yet to take place with the Town Council as to which space or spaces they may wish to ‘block book’ for their future meetings. The Town Hall is, what it is, where it is, some of its constraints cannot overcome through the refurbishment scheme. The scheme is the only one identified that provides a ‘positive’ business case i.e. capital neutral and makes revenue savings, which is probably why it has been approved as part of the 2013/4 Capital Programme. Alternative schemes that do not generate capital receipts are likely therefore to require external funding which is not guaranteed and takes time to put in place. In the mean time there is a risk that the Council becomes unable to sustain its current levels of spend, and that the vacant Wesley Place building’s value diminishes further. The Steering Group Meeting is not a public meeting, but there are Ward Councillors on the Group and representatives of local interest groups. Sadly the Town Council have chosen not to take up their place on the Steering Group, at this time, so the only member of ‘the public’ invited to attend is a named alternative nominated by the Town Council. Minutes of the meeting are made available publicly and the Council has agreed that they may be display on Silsden Net. I hope the above explains the current status of the Project, the rationale behind it. All the best Nigel Nigel Gillatt (nigel.gillatt@bradford.gov.uk) Tel: 01274 434224 Estates Surveyor Estate Strategy Team Economic Development and Property 7th Floor, Jacob’s Well, Bradford BD1 5RW City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Department of Regeneration and Culture |
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| ginjo |
Am I missing something? I just don't get how all the work has been approved if planning permission has not yet been given or am I just being thick I cannot see how some issues can be overcome, mainly the disabled access |
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| gazzer |
this post has been edited 2 time(s) I have put explantions in brackets Dear CW Thank you for your comments. The Council is satisfied with the level of consultation over the principle of the Silsden Town Hall refurbishment(Council does not care what the people of Silsden think), the scheme has been approved and it is intended that it be progressed. The purpose of the consultation is to determine the ‘form’ of the scheme, to ensure it meets the aspirations of as broad a spectrum as possible of local and potential users(But will happen even if it fails to meet aspirations). Notification of the consultation was provided though the press. The following staff were available on the consultation day, with a broad knowledge base; from Estate Management (2), Libraries (2) who were available to discuss how the new library would operate, Public Halls (1) to discuss future management etc and Facilities Management (1) to explain the plans along with the Estate Managers and to discuss more detailed technical matters(They were doing a job and were not expected to know details). Works are currently proposed to start at the end of May provided that the Steering Group(do as they are told) are satisfied that all the relevant issues raised in the consultation have been satisfactorily addressed, and all other permissions are in place. Although this date may change, it is envisaged that the works will be progressed around the summer holiday period. As regard your specific points: Covenants will be placed upon the sale to ensure that any future development fits into this sensitive area next to the war memorial in the Silsden Conservation Area. These are yet to be agreed.(Not thought through) There will be a reduced stock of books at the new library, e.g. the reference section will not be replaced as this resource is available through the Council’s on-line library services(hope you have a computer), access to which will be available elsewhere in the Town Hall(if someone will open up), other areas of the building will also be used for children’s story telling etc(everyone will need a CRB check) at times when they are not being utilised by other users. There are currently no plans to change the library opening hours, the self service element is an additional service that works elsewhere. It is proposed to relocate the recycling facilities but this has not been dealt with(hopefully we will think of something) as a priority at this time as it does not become an issue until the open market disposal of the Wesley Place site. It will be up to the Town Council to determine which plaques photos etc that they would like to be displayed upon completion of the refurbishment(sssh not true because they cant have their furniture...ooops); however unfortunately their furniture cannot be accommodated(said it now) in the refurbished Town Hall, as the flexible use of space is considered paramount to maximise the halls future success. There are no plans to re-appoint a permanent caretaker, the scheme is called a transition scheme as it intends to promote more involvement from the community in the running of the hall(for people with H&S qualifications,loads of them about), hopefully increasing its utilisation(dont know why I said that because it will not increase). This is proactive scheme(The council dictating to the residents) that maintains an improved(LOL) library and public hall in Silsden whilst operating from a lower cost base(Official its council cuts), which makes them less vulnerable when any future potential cuts are considered(so expanded services not needed if the council plans to build more houses takes off). Discussions are yet to take place with the Town Council as to which space or spaces they may wish to ‘block book’ for their future meetings. The Town Hall is, what it is, where it is, some of its constraints cannot overcome through the refurbishment scheme(the biggest constraint is Bradford Council and its mismanagement of assets) . The scheme is the only one identified(only one looked at, nobody else gets a chance to come up with an idea) that provides a ‘positive’ business case i.e. capital neutral and makes revenue savings(Less money spent on Silsden), which is probably why it has been approved(without prior consultation) as part of the 2013/4 Capital Programme. Alternative schemes that do not generate capital receipts are likely therefore to require external funding which is not guaranteed and takes time to put in place. In the mean time there is a risk that the Council becomes unable to sustain its current levels of spend, and that the vacant Wesley Place building’s value diminishes further(not that it can diminish because its falling down and the value is the land its sat on). The Steering Group Meeting is not a public meeting(its a secret society), but there are (anti Town Council)Ward Councillors on the Group and representatives of local (self) interest groups. Sadly the Town Council have chosen not to take up their place on the Steering Group, at this time, so the only member of ‘the public’ invited to attend is a named alternative nominated by the Town Council. Minutes of the meeting are made available publicly and the Council has agreed that they may be display on Silsden Net. I hope the above explains the current status of the Project, the rationale behind it. |
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| hat |
Dear Silsden, we're asset stripping 'cos we're broke, get over it. Love BMDC xx |
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| GAMEKEEPER |
BMDC clearly need a lesson in democracy. I saw an article in the Raving Herald the other day saying that Andrew MALLINSON represents the people of Silsden and that everyone is really happy with the proposals. You only have to see the number of plans that BMDC are throwing money at - travellers sites, cycle routes, commercial property restoration to see the extent of their blatant lies! |
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| skippy |
me thinks cllr andrew mallinson is a stranger from the truth  |
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| gazzer |
Mallinson represents the people of Cowling where he is Town Clerk. Happy to apply for grants for Cowling but supports asset stripping of Silsden the Town where he lives. Represents Silsden....dont make me laugh. He is supposed to represent the views of the electorate not impose his views. Remember he supports 1,800 new houses in Silsden. The enemy within? |
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| Peter |
PLEASE DO NOT JUST RESPOND TO THE LAST POST or we will rapidly lose the subject. PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST IN THIS TOPIC, your opinions on the viability of this scheme are of value. Personally, I believe even less choice of books and the loss of our local reference books would be tragic - would you go to Keighley to look up Silsden's history? |
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| babba100 |
Reading the reply by 'Nigel' to the very appropriate list of concerns and legitimate questions I couldn't help but glaze over into a daze of blah blah we don't care blah blah money money shut the hell up blah blah blah. Come on, it happens all across the country, Libraries used to be a centre of knowledge and a pivotal resource for local and reference information... they WERE important but when prioritising assets it appears KNOWLEDGE providing is simply not important.... after all knowledge is power and we don't want everybody getting ideas! Knowledge is a commodity best preserved in order to maintain control. There is a blatant refusal to bring the Library service, especially in our area, into the present day .... a world of online resource it is true , for the younger democratic but what about all the people who simply don't use/have the internet due to age/skills or finances... what do they do? don't they matter? surely these are the people the library should function for. It makes me sick, especially recently, all these bureaucratic budget bandits who tell us we take too much for what I feel is very little...... that we are somehow responsible for the reduction of government/council spending.... its about time we applied the same microscope upon their own budgets, allowances, expenses (you know what I am getting at)......... if the government stopped patronising us and put halt upon their own frivolities, if they too rationed themselves instead of stripping down every last bit of what is 'great' out of great Britain then we wouldn't be so damn dissatisfied. I shudder at the lack of progress I see, clearly it is not love which makes people blind but money. Pee's me right off, rant over. |
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| Replies in this thread : 8 |
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events sale / wanted general have your say looking for.. skippy greengrass |
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DON'T FORGET THE SUBJECT IS >>>>>>>> Forums Home > Have Your Say !!!! > THE TOWN HALL LIBRARY you will like this NOT A LOT :( |
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09/04/2013 : 15:26:45 
09/04/2013 : 16:07:03