Church Stretton Library – statement from Clive Wright, chief executive

Clive Wright, chief executive of Shropshire Council, said:

“Shropshire Council is working hard in difficult financial circumstances to maintain frontline services as far as possible. There are no winners or losers when it comes to changes to services such as a library. The council aims to find innovative solutions to maintaining services at low or no cost wherever we can, and we are grateful to everyone working with us to achieve this.

“Unfortunately, the events of the judicial review concerning Church Stretton have been misreported.

“Our Barrister was approached with a request from the Claimant’s lawyers to consider agreeing to the quashing of our decision to relocate Church Stretton Library and that they would not seek any legal costs against the Council. The Council agreed on a pragmatic basis to accept this very late offer and to give the Church Stretton Library Support Group the opportunity to submit an expression of interest to run the Library in accordance with the Localism Act. This decision was taken mainly because there would be no payment of legal costs by the Council and no further appeals. It is at best disappointing that Church Stretton Library Support Group failed to act on a suggestion made by the Council in 2015 that they could submit such an expression of interest, given the cost that has now been incurred to the public purse.

“The Council consulted on a proposed solution with a local school, located just 800 metres from the current Library. The school would operate a public library service into the foreseeable future. Whilst we understand that this is not acceptable to the group it was an achievable and viable alternative to the current Library operation.

“As a result of the Council agreeing to the Order to quash our decision, the Church Stretton Library Support Group will be able to put forward their proposition to fund and operate the Library and we will continue to work with them and any other groups who seek to contribute to the Council’s future plans and vision.

“The Council will continue to work positively with our communities on alternative ways to deliver services, including the Library in Church Stretton.”