Showing posts with label Hulme Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hulme Library. Show all posts
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Comment: Libraries Consultation Session in Longsight. Well...
Its currently consultation season in Manchester.
To deal with the
£80 million cut to its finances from central government, Manchester City
Council has decided that cuts to library and leisure services are amongst its
preferred option choices.
For libraries, that consultation
runs until April 17th 2013 and consists of a questionnaire and a
series of public meetings.
I went to the first of
two sessions which covered the ‘central’ area which includes Central
Libraries, Longsight, Hulme and Moss Side.
Though the fate of libraries and pools have been the
subject passion and attention, it was disappointing that I was only one of 3 people in
attendance at this session to hear the Head of Libraries and his deputy run through their
tentative plans for libraries in the city.
They seem to be proposing
various types of libraries in the city. Where facilities are to be
cut, it is suggested there maybe community libraries.
Community libraries will
- Be run by
volunteers
- Have access to
main book stock and library system
IT
- Have a buddy
library (with staff from the buddy library possibly working 7 hours per
week in the community library)
Libraries are willing to hear other ideas/ variations
BUT their overwhelming goals are to cut costs and have as wide a geographical
reach as possible in a ‘sustainable network’.
If community groups raised additional funds from other sources then this would/ could alter what resources that library may have in it such as cultural activities, homework clubs, advice surgeries.
But its up to the communities.
I took the opportunity to ask about Hulme
library. It was confirmed that the library plans are to ‘move the service’
to Moss Side Leisure Centre but this will be settled finally after the consultation period. The Head of
libraries said that they would be looking at a multi-purpose venue such as at
Wythenshawe Forum.
The Head of Libraries said that the new Hulme facilities
would not be a ‘drop-in’ service but
could not confirm what level of service or staffing would be likely. He was
also unable to confirm how long after the consultation, staffing levels and
service would be settled.
It didn’t occur to me to ask about the Power House Moss
Side library until after I’d gone. That seems to be a different kettle of fish
altogether, but that is also up for review.
For myself I left feeling unconvinced by the whole thing
and said that I thought that the lack of two way feedback to ideas submitted
meant that communities did not have the chance to develop ideas in any meaningful
way within the consultation process (although that’s not to say it doesn’t/ isn’t
happening). In addition, it wasn’t clear from Libraries what resources were
available for communities were thinking
of taking over a facility, though it did come to light that some support would
be possible.
The second public session covering the central area is tomorrow, if
you have any questions or concerns, go to the meeting, fill out a questionnaire,
see what you think.
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Comment: Manchester City Council voting for Christmas
Wednesday is the
meeting of Manchester City Council’s Executive where the Budget cuts 2013-15
will be discussed.
More precisely its
Wednesday 13 February 2013 Time: 10.00 am Venue: Committee Room 11, Level
1, Town Hall.
The Green Party is
going along. We are interested to see what they have to say about the cuts in
services particularly with regard to libraries and swimming pools.
The Council says that
those swimming pools and libraries services under threat are going to come back
in a few years.
We don’t believe it.
Those facilities are
not coming back in any recognizable form.
Why are we so
sceptical? Because of something the council writes in its own Budget Response
Document 2013/15. In it (point 51),
the council asks its officers to “analyse the Council’s budget position beyond
2014/15 given that funding is expected to fall whilst demand for services will
continue to rise “.
That analyse predicts
that by 2018/19 the only services that will be able to be funded by the council
will be Social Care, Environment, Transport and Capital.
That means that
Neighbourhood Services, which includes libraries, swimming pools, culture and
parks will be completely cut. So how are those pools and libraries going to be
run?
That prediction is
only 5 years away.
Instead of engaging
with local communities concerned about their parks, pools and libraries, those
campaigners are dismissed as “a handful of noisy
protesters”, their activities as
‘stunts’. Attempts by communities to engage the
council on talks to take over buildings or services, such as in Hulme, have met
with silence.
Local Labour
councillors will throw their hands in the air and say that there is nothing
they can do, they have to vote for the cuts.
Don’t you believe it.
Labour councillors
from all over the country are organising against the cuts. The Labour Councillors against the cuts website lists an initial 25 councillors
who are not prepared to vote for cuts to local services.
Manchester Green Party applauds
their stand. That is principle.
Its unfortunate that not a single one of the 86 Manchester Labour
councillors is on that list. We predict you won’t find one in the future either.
The Budget response
(60) also says “Only the Council has the leadership capacity to protect the
City's future, and chart a new direction”.
They may have the
capacity, they don’t have the ideas.
If you don’t believe
us, go to the committee meeting on Wednesday.
The Green Party.
Follow us
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Keeping the Hulme Mural...
The Hulme Mural is a vast and vibrant public artwork in Hulme Manchester, comprising six 14 foot panels of sculpted clay along the Hulme Library wall.
It was designed and made by Hulme Urban Potters – a collective of students and tutors at the Hulme Adult Education Centre to mark the turn of the century, and was completed and installed in 2002. The mural depicts some of the key moments in the history of this important Manchester community, and has become a local landmark.
It was unveiled by actor and comedian Johnny Vegas saying: ”I think it is a really important piece of work that promotes local history and a true sense of pride for the people and place it represents. It’s amazing.”
The then City Council Chief Executive member for Culture and Leisure Glynn Evans said: “I’m highly delighted that Hulme Urban Potters have entrusted this fantastic piece of work to Manchester Libraries. The Mural is a celebration of Hulme and it is quite right that it should remain at the heart of the local community”.
Less than ten years later, the community now fears for the future of the Hulme Mural. Consultations are underway about the future of Manchester’s library service, and there are fears that if the Hulme library closes, the building will be sold or worse still, demolished.
Johnny Vegas has now added his voice to the campaign to save the mural saying: “I’d be really disappointed if the mural was damaged or lost due to the closure of the library. It’s a fantastic piece of art work that should be enjoyed by the local community for many years to come.”
Please add your voice to the campaign to save the Hulme Mural by signing the petition. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savehulmemural/signatures
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Manchester Cuts: A severe blow
There is no doubting the severity of the cuts announced by Manchester City Council.
While its understood that budget reductions have been imposed from the Coalition Government, the Council’s pledge to defend front line services is nonsense.
Cutting the majority of youth services and SureStarts in Manchester, then hoping the voluntary sector could take over them could make sense. Unfortunately the voluntary sector is being slashed by 22%.
In Hulme and Moss Side its expected that at least Hulme Library, the Martenscroft SureStart Centre, debt advice service and youth centres will go.
There has been no call to local groups and unions to discuss the best way of saving services, no consultation on how to support the most vulnerable in our communities.
Add this to the increase in charges from Council services and Housing Trusts, VAT increase, cuts to Manchester Advice services, reduced support available from Job Centres, it is not a stretch to imagine serious hardship coming back to Manchester. The Council wrings its hands and says there is nothing to be done yet the Airport owes it £83 million.
And when the dust settles, the Council will look to cut another £60 million next year.
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