Councillors have spoken out over the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Grimsby’s library service, criticising North East Lincolnshire Council for failing to provide an opening date for the promised temporary pop-up library, or any clarity on the current situation at the main site.
After a recent scrutiny meeting, councillors expressed frustration that six months after Grimsby Central Library was forced to close due to leaks and asbestos concerns, there is still no available timeline for opening either facility.
The authority has pledged to open a temporary library in Freshney Place, but public concern has continued to grow.
The latest discussions offered little reassurance, confirming that no survey reports or dates have yet been made available to councillors. Now, local representatives from across the political spectrum are expressing concerns and demanding answers, transparency and urgent action after some say they were met with delays, evasive responses and withheld information.
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, Leader of the Independents Group, Councillor Steve Holland, criticised the lack of progress or information being provided regarding timelines and costs. He also warned that the council is currently failing in its legal duty to provide a library service.
Councillor Holland said: “It is really frustrating as a councillor when you ask straight questions but can’t get straight answers. Not only have the surveys on the empty central library not been completed by the end of August as expected, we don’t even have a timeline for when we will have a clear idea of what work needs doing and how much it will cost. It makes us look like ditherers who can’t make a decision.
“We agreed that there would be a temporary library set up in Freshney Place so that people can borrow books and access the Internet. That was agreed back in July and yet we still don’t have any idea when that is likely to happen. At the moment, we are not fulfilling our legal responsibilities to provide a library service, which must be frustrating the public.”
Councillor Emma Clough, Leader of Labour Group, has written to the Chief Executive of the Council to raise a number of concerns over the handling of the process.
She expressed frustration that councillors have been given “extremely limited information” by council officers and cabinet members, stressing that without these councillors cannot make informed decisions and labelling the situation “unacceptable.“
Councillor Clough said it has become clear that elected members do not have access to all of the information they need to make decisions.
“We should be able to see them [the reports] because we have to make important decisions. Making those decisions in the dark is not appropriate,” she added, stressing that another push for “complete transparency and a timeline” is necessary.
More to follow.
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.