Shropshire Council chief: Library decision taken to avoid legal costs

Talks are now taking place between Shropshire Council and campaign group Church Stretton Library Support Group, which had sought a judicial review over plans to move the town's library to Church Stretton School.

Campaigners had claimed the council performed a U-turn on the proposals when the case went to the High Court. But Clive Wright, Shropshire Council's chief executive, said the decision was taken because it meant the council would not be facing any court costs.

He said that the library could now remain at its Church Street location – but only if campaigners come forward with a suitable proposal.

He said: "Our barrister was approached with a request from the claimant's lawyers to consider agreeing to the quashing of our decision to relocate Church Stretton Library and that they would not seek any legal costs against the council.

"The council agreed on a pragmatic basis to accept this very late offer and to give the Church Stretton Library Support Group the opportunity to submit an expression of interest to run the library in accordance with the Localism Act.

"This decision was taken mainly because there would be no payment of legal costs by the council and no further appeals.

"It is at best disappointing that Church Stretton Library Support Group failed to act on a suggestion made by the council in 2015 that they could submit such an expression of interest, given the cost that has now been incurred to the public purse."

But Mr Wright said the authority had not backtracked on the idea that a move to the school was workable.

"The council consulted on a proposed solution with a local school, located just 800 metres from the current library," he said.

"While we understand that this is not acceptable to the group it was an achievable and viable alternative to the current library operation.

"Shropshire Council is working hard in difficult financial circumstances to maintain frontline services as far as possible.

"There are no winners or losers when it comes to changes to services such as a library.

"The council aims to find innovative solutions to maintaining services at low or no cost wherever we can, and we are grateful to everyone working with us to achieve this," he added.

Felicity Thomas, speaking for the campaign group, said members were currently seeking further legal advice.