By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A leading Nottinghamshire County Councillor has moved again to reassure Hucknall residents their library services won’t be moved or closed.
However, he confirmed some additional services could be provided in a new health centre.
Councillor John Cottee (Con), portfolio holder for communities, says Hucknall’s library, on South Street, will not be relocated into another building and will remain in the heart of the town centre.
It comes after concerns were raised by opposition Independent Alliance councillors that the Tory-led authority is planning to move the library either into the new Top Wighay Farm offices or into the future Cavell health hub.
The concerns followed Cllr Cottee previously saying some libraries in Nottinghamshire could be relocated into suitable community sites to save money. He has also said none of the county’s 60 libraries will be closing.
The Independent Alliance claimed they have “concrete evidence” of plans to relocate services into the planned Cavell Health Centre, on the Piggins Croft car park site, stating documents “proved” discussions were underway.
Cllr Jason Zadrozny, leader of the group, spoke about the library in last month’s full council meeting and provided Cllr Cottee with some documentation on the issue.
But now Cllr Cottee has visited Hucknall Library to reassure staff and says library provision in the town is “staying as it is”.
However, he confirmed that Inspire, the council’s library provider, is looking to provide additional education courses from Hucknall and could use space within the Cavell Centre if and when it opens.
He said: “Once again I want to make it very clear that this administration has no plans to close, re-locate or change the status of Hucknall Library in any way – it is staying as it is.
“It is a fact that Inspire is looking to provide additional educational courses in Hucknall that cannot be accommodated in the library by using spaces at the proposed Cavell Centre.
“None of the services at Hucknall Library are being removed or moved anywhere.
“Unlike many other councils who are reducing their library services and closing libraries, I’m very proud to say that Nottinghamshire County Council is steadfastly committed to protecting and improving our library service in Hucknall and across Nottinghamshire.”
Peter Gaw, chief executive of Inspire, also confirmed the discussions are underway but said education courses will also continue to be provided from the existing South Street site.
He said: “Hucknall Library is a busy and well-used library and there have never been any discussions about relocating it from its current site.
“Our discussions with the Cavell Centre have only focused on accommodation for additional learning. I’d like to assure people that learning courses will also continue to be held at Hucknall Library.”
Kath Loverseed, manager of Hucknall Library, said Hucknall residents “really, really love their library” and added staff at the site have no plans to close or move it.
She added: “It’s a beautiful, listed building and we’re absolutely not closing. I can assure you categorically the answer is no and we are going to keep going.”
Speaking following reassurances from Cllr Cottee and the library bosses, Cllr Zadrozny – who initially raised the concerns alongside his colleague Cllr John Wilmott (Ash Ind) – welcomed the comments.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This categoric promise is all we ever asked for and, until now, was not forthcoming.
“Let me be very clear: the only assurance we have before this is one that library provision would remain, but that didn’t extend to locations.
“That worried residents in places like Hucknall and Kirkby – libraries that have had services slashed by the Tories in recent years.
“Be rest assured – the Independent Alliance will continue to highlight concerns and fight to improve service provision across Nottinghamshire.”
