Cash crisis blow for library plans

MORE than 1m could be spent on refurbishing and extending a town’s 110-year-old library – but the council behind the plans says money may be too tight to proceed.

Councillors in Wakefield are expected to back ambitious plans for Castleford Library in Carlton Street when they meet next week.

A feasibility study by consultants NPS has estimated the total cost of the project at 1,326,000 which would include 152,000 in professional fees.

It would involve demolishing the existing two-storey extension and building a new three-storey extension on a slightly larger footprint of land.

The plans would see the creation of areas for under-fives, five to 12-year-olds, teenagers, local studies, an area for IT, adult study and classes and a meeting room/events space.

The report by NPS says the building will be accessible by wheelchair and will include a lift to all floors.

It adds: “The general construction of the building will be robust enough to withstand the rigours of time. Traditional construction methods will be used for the majority of the construction.”

A mix of traditional and modern materials will be used, including brick, render and small areas of metal cladding to the external facades.

Existing timber windows at the front of the building will be restored.

A report to Wakefield Council’s Cabinet committee is recommending that the council backs the refurbishment project, which is supported by community group Castleford Forum.

The forum drew up two phases of a project but the council says there is not enough cash available for the second phase, a heritage and meeting space.

“Progress on the Castleford Forum project as a whole is not possible in the short term due to the current economic climate which has impacted on the timescale for transferring ownership of the Old Market Hall.”

The forum project as a whole was dependent on the council gaining ownership of the Old Market Hall.

Moving forward with phase one – the library refurbishment – will involve the use of all available council resources, the report says.

Any future work around phase two will need money from outside the council.

The council is currently in the middle of a review of library provision in the district, with consultation continuing with the public.

A survey from 2008/09 showed that residents of Castleford were much less satisfied with libraries (48 per cent) than the district average of 62 per cent.

A report to cabinet warns that there are “significant pressures” within the current capital programme.

“There is currently 1.419m in the 2009-10 to 2011-12 capital programme allocated to this project.

“However, given the significant pressure the capital programme is under, cabinet are asked to consider if they still wish to proceed with this project in the light of other emerging priorities and pressures.”

In spite of that warning council officers are recommending that the refurbishment plans go ahead.

The other options being presented to Cabinet next Tuesday are:

n Do not carry out any work on Castleford Library, an option that “is likely to have a significant negative reputational impact on the council”.

n Do nothing until the end of the current library review in September, an option that community groups would object to.

n Carry out minimal refurbishment work such as spending 240,000 on the damaged roof and internal re-plastering, 82,000 on a lift and 45,000 repairing the facade.

[email protected]