Hadley Library set to be saved as Council hails response to budget cuts
Telford & Wrekin Council has hailed the response of the community and partner organisations for their efforts in helping to save services threatened by budget cuts.
It looks extremely likely that Hadley Library will now be saved as a result of a deal between Telford & Wrekin Council, Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council and the Hadley Learning Community.
Telford & Wrekin Council is confident that more positive announcements wil be able to be made in relation to the future of other libraries in due course, although all changes to the proposed cuts are subject to the approval of the council’s Cabinet.
“We have been working very closely with our partners since we announced our proposals to cut services as a result of a £30m reduction in government grant over the next two years,” said Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Finance.
“The news about an agreement in principle to save Hadley Library is fantastic for the residents there and we hope that this will be followed up by more good news elsewhere in the borough.
“We have had a fantastic response from our community to the challenges posed by our most difficult budget ever and I would like to thank everyone for pulling together at a point when we really needed them to.”
In other good news, two more Parish Environmental Teams (PETs) are going to be established in the borough after decisions by Oakengates Town Council and Dawley Hamlets Parish Council.
This will bring the total amount to 11 PETs working as part of the Pride In Your Community Programme to provided enhanced maintenance work to keep streets and open spaces in good condition.
Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “These are a prime example of how the council and its partners come together and work co-operatively to find new solutions for public services.
“The PETs are also part of our drive to tackle youth unemployment as, in most instances, they employ apprentices for 12 months.”
The PETs cover litter picking, leaf fall clearance, repairs to street furniture, conservation and improvements to landscaped areas, mowing, weeding, planting and clearing.
Parish and Town Councils that already have a PET are as follows: Madeley, Stirchley and Brookside, Hollinswood and Randlay, Great Dawley, Hadley and Leegomery, Wrockwardine Wood and Trench, St Georges and Priorslee, Lawley and Overdale and Ketley.
