Labour, who run Stockport Council with Conservative backing, are to consult on permanently moving Stockport Central Library from its current location on the A6 into Merseyway.

The plan, revealed in papers published yesterday, is for a three-stage consultation starting on 5 July, with a final decision being taken before Christmas. However, some people are saying that Labour have already made the decision, and the consultation questions will be worded so as to never actually ask people if they want to see the Central Library permanently close.

The council papers say:

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“The first phase would be to share the work done to date with stakeholders and residents and gather views on whether the potential uses for Stockroom are what people would like to see in the Town Centre and importantly whether there are other uses or services which residents would like to see which are consistent with the overall ambition for Stockroom as a community learning and discovery hub.

If there is support to include a 21st Century library offer within Stockroom, then the second phase would be a formal consultation on the relocation of library services from the existing Central Library Building on the A6. This would also include the potential plans for alternative uses for the building.

This is in line with the Council resolution made in October 2020 that library services would not be removed from Stockport Central Library building unless and until there has been a proper public consultation that makes this intention clear and sets out the alternative plans for the building so that Stockport residents can have their say.

The third and final phase of engagement is dependent on the outcome of the first two phases but would look to re-engage with stakeholders and residents to get views on the final proposals for Stockroom in advance of the Cabinet report on the final scheme on 7th December 2021.

The proposed timetable for the above is as follows:
– Phase One – 5th July to 1st August 2021 (4 weeks)
– Phase Two (if required) – 15th August to 8th October 2021 (8 weeks)
– Phase Three – 18th October to 12th November 2021 (4 weeks)

Final Report on Stockroom Proposals
o Corporate Resource Management and Governance Scrutiny Committee – 23rd November 2021
o Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee – 25th November 2021
o Cabinet – 7th December 2021

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Cllr Iain Roberts said “I would urge everyone to look at the proposals when Labour release them, and to have their say on the future of Stockport Central Library. The Lib Dems will be pushing for a genuine consultation that asks people if they want the library service to permanently leave Stockport Central Library and listens to the answer.”

The proposals come to the CRMG Scrutiny committee next Tuesday, and can be found here.

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