Linda Riordan: The tale of the library, the bulldozers and a sorry failure of local domocracy

It’s certainly hurting, and more and more people, especially in our northern towns and cities, aren’t working. Central Government has dumped on them. That is why I have a great deal of respect for people who give up so much to serve their communities at a local level.

However, in these difficult times, local authorities should matter more than ever. They have a key role to play in local communities. I am a great believer in local democracy and accountability. I came up through the council ranks, and owe much to my time on Calderdale Council in West Yorkshire.

Therefore, what is currently going on in Halifax makes this all the more painful to write. It’s been an epic that the great authors would be proud of; it’s had everything. U-turns, twists, turns and more sub plots and intrigue than your average thriller. 

Yet, it’s fact not fiction, real life not drama. And it involves a library and archives. Both well used, both popular with people, located in a centrally accessible building, near the bus station and with functional community rooms in the heart of the town. People like it, use it, feel attached to it. It’s a pleasing, stable presence, in an ever-changing world.

Yet, three years ago, someone in the Town Hall had an Archimedes moment. They thought it would be a good idea to demolish the library and archives. They would be re-built elsewhere we were told; the building would be modern, not much would change we were assured. Aren’t we always told that?

We all know that reality is often different from the spin. Yet, before the plans had been dusted down and unveiled, the public had given them a huge thumbs down.

A community campaign at its very best, with rallies, petitions and political pressure saw the bulldozers halted. A huge climb-down from the council’s ruling Tory group. Cue huge celebrations. A victory for local people power. End of story... 

Well, not quite. That was nearly three long years ago. Bliss was it to be involved in that spring campaign of 2009. Yet, this month, dark clouds have gathered again over the library, built only 35 years ago. What’s the big deal? Well, many people think quite a big deal might be on the table. The site is in a prime location, a new shopping centre appeals to big business and the decision makers. This is why the issue has never really gone away.

In that sense, I sympathise with the council position. Yet they have ignored Denis Healey’s first law of holes. Stop digging if you are in one, especially if you are trying to create one in the middle of the town centre. And especially when the public don’t want it. 

Three times over the last year, the council has had to quell whispers that the bulldozers were warming up again. Not at all, was the word from the Town Hall. And then an announcement that a new glossy library and archives were being planned after all. 

Still people were unconvinced. You can’t wish away the views of thousands of people. Don’t worry came the shout, or more a whisper, from the council chamber – we will consult with you. People will have a say. So after months of rumour, denials and dither, the plans were out in the open.

Yet the public were still clear in their view – Don’t Bulldoze Our Library. And herein lays the mistake of the council. Clearly they have always had these plans in mind. But at no stage have residents been asked the simple question “Do you want the existing library and archives to stay where they are or be demolished and moved to a new location?”

So pressure was applied and in early December, in smoke-free Town Hall rooms, a motion was put on the table that finally offered the consultation that voters value.

Cue celebrations. The cheers turned to jeers 24 hours later, when confused campaigners realised that the consultation was only asking what people would like in the new library. Many felt duped. And those were the polite responses.

It’s been a crazy tale. History has certainly repeated itself and the second time as farce.

There is wider issue at the heart of this issue. What is the point of local democracy? Thousands of people’s opinions ignored. Council motions put forward, voted on and then ignored. The real agenda has been guessed by many, but hidden from everyone by a few. If the council can’t trust the people, why should people trust the council?

By not putting a simple question to people, they have left more and more unanswered questions about what has been going on behind closed doors. Even elected members have been left in the dark. It has been a saddening spectacle. I have taken the matter directly to Central Government and asked them to intervene and tell Calderdale Council to give the people what they want.

This goes beyond party politics. The arguments have been won, the silent majority clear in their views; and I believe the consultation will finally be delivered on one of the most important issues facing Halifax for years; when, the current library’s future is secured and the work is done, it will be the people of this town who will rightly say “we did it ourselves”. 

Community campaigning is alive and well in Halifax even if, on this issue at least, openness, transparency and consultation are not.