19 July 2013
At a special meeting of Solihull Council's Call In Committee on 15 July Conservative Councillors backed the decision made by Cabinet Member Kate Wild to relocate Shirley Library to Parkgate. Voting this through by a majority of one, Tory Councillors including two who represent Shirley wards chose to support Cllr Wild despite 81% of library users being against the move.
The move to Parkgate comes hot on the heels of news that High Street retailer Next have snubbed Parkgate, which they originally were lauded as the sort of businesses that was going to occupy Parkgate, and instead have sought planning approval to open a new store for Home, Garden and Clothing at the former Comet building at Sears Retail Park off Marshall Lake Road.
Councillor Andy Hodgson (Green Party, Shirley South), who led the cross party call in against the decision condemned the vote and said "Here we are again with the Conservative Group on Solihull Council ignoring the views of Shirley residents. They had to acknowledge that library users do not want this change, that no alternatives were considered and admitted that other Council services may be moving into Parkgate too". He added "With the news that Next have not taken up the opportunity to occupy retail space in Parkgate, it is little wonder the Tories are desperately trying to find alternative uses for the empty shops within Parkgate."
Solihull Green Party RSS Feed