Despite council pledge on 'transparency' Grimsby Library structural survey remains top secret

                                                       

How safe is structure of Grimsby Library? NELC continues to withhold survey

THE future of the Grimsby Central Library building is due to come under the spotlight at a meeting later this week.

The inaugural meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's Library Services Select Committee is scheduled  to take place in Grimsby Town Hall at 5pm on Thursday November 20.

The building was closed at the end of March this year "on a temporary basis" after a water leak was  said to  have raised the risk of asbestos disturbance.  

A report to councillors states: "Work is underway to develop options and costs for refurbishment and, given the presence of asbestos across the building and associated risk, combined with longstanding maintenance challenges.

"This work will take time to develop and be completed in several stages. 

"To support full and transparent engagement, further information on this process can be brought forward to the committee for consideration." 

The committee is due to assess: 

* Opportunities for co-location, community hubs and diverse usage. 

* Business case development approach for Grimsby Central Library provision: 

* Remediation and refurbishment options for Grimsby Central Library, including cost analysis 

* Alternative locations if refurbishment proves cost-prohibitive. 

* Cultural and heritage risks and opportunities 

* External funding opportunities (e.g. Arts Council England, Heritage Fund). 

* Community-led models.   

* Benchmarking: 

* Interim provision of the 'pop-up library' in Freshney Place 

* Community wellbeing impact: 

*The role of the library in supporting community, educational and social outcomes.  

Despite an agenda commitment to "transparency and inclusivity", the council's recent structural survey of the building continues to witheld from the public for reasons that are not entirely clear.

At least one attempt to secure publication of the survey via a Freedom of Information request has proved unsuccessful.  

The members of the committee are Steve Holland (Ind), James Cairns (Con), Karen Swinburn (Con), Emma Clough (Lab), Robson Augusta (Lab) and Steve Beasant (Lib-Dem).

Thursday's meeting is open to the public.