Liberal Democrats condemn library neglect

4.07.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Oct 2007

Wood Green Library

A local library and its users are faced with three years without the funding to repair its badly run-down building. Following concerns by residents about the dreadful state of the front of Wood Green Library, Cllr David Winskill, discovered that Haringey Council has not allocated money to repair the front of the building. Lib Dems are outraged that the borough's flagship library has been left to decay and the Council has ignored the need for repair.

Following enquiries with Haringey Property Services it was revealed that there will be no money available for any remedial works until 2009 at the earliest and only then if funding can be found. Cllr Winskill will continue to demand funding to be put forward to provide a better environment for residents.

Cllr Winskill, Lib Dem Culture, Leisure and Lifelong Learning spokesperson comments:

"This is Haringey's flagship library in the borough's main shopping centre. The staff are working immensely hard to try to offer more attractive services to visitors, but Labour-run Haringey Council are allowing the place to look like a cold war bunker. This neglect goes back years and is demoralising for all. It shows what Labour councillors really think about reading and cultural issues."

Cllr Fiyaz Mughal (Noel Park) adds:

"Recently the Wood Green library attempted to attract small businesses into it by spending money to upgrade a conference style facility at the rear of the library. It is a self defeating process if money is spent to attract businesses and the rest of the library looks shabby. Another example of an ill-defined and ill thought through strategy from Labour."