WELSHPOOL Town Council is challenging the county council over its decision to move the town’s library into the museum, arguing that it should have been given the opportunity to take over the services first.


In a charter between the town council and Powys County Council (PCC), the clause ‘Reduction or ceasing of services’ says: “PCC will not cut any services in Welshpool without first giving Welshpool Town Council the opportunity to consider taking over such services”. 


At the full council meeting on Wednesday, March 27, the town council unanimously voted to have a solicitor write to the county council invoking the clause. The motion passed also includes issuing a court injunction if there is no “meaningful response” from PCC.


A statement from the town council said: “The county council has not offered either service to the town council.


“It is hoped that PCC will meet with the town council for meaningful discussions about alternatives to the current proposals.”


This clause of the charter was first brought up at the Save Welshpool Library Meeting in early March. 


Although the charter does state that PCC should give the town council the opportunity to take over services, the charter between the two councils actually expired in 2017.

However, the town clerk, Robert Robinson, in declaring the town council’s position on the co-location plans, said that the council has an email from PCC’s chief solicitor, Clive Penney, confirming it remains in place until a new one is agreed or exchanged.
The town council has previously put forward proposals to PCC on three occasions: in May, July and October; but they were not responded to.


Cabinet Member for Highways, Recycling and Assets, Cllr Phyl Davies, said: “The clause in the charter says the county council will not cut any service without giving the town council the opportunity to consider taking them over. The county council has been very clear throughout this process that co-location of the library and museum is intended to safeguard both services in the town.


“We know the decision is disappointing to many but we hope that service users and residents understand that we have to make the very best use of precious resources and that meant taking difficult decisions.


“The financial pressures facing us meant that the status quo was not viable and we believe that, having considered all options, co-location is the best option to maintain services and make the best use of the county council’s property.”  

The town council has previously put forward proposals to PCC on three occasions: in May, July, and October; but they were not responded to.

A spokesperson from PCC said that it is not closing or reducing the hours of the library, and that the co-location is happening to make sure there is a library service in the town in the future.