Brent Council accused of double standards over Barham property rents

Cllr Paul Lorber has returned to the issues revealed in the Barham Park Trustees accounts in an email to Kim Wright, Brent Coucil Chief Executive Officer:

You will recall that last year when challenging the accounts and the poor way officers were managing the Charity’s property and finances, I made the specific point that rent reviews in line with Leases in place were not implemented as a result of Trustee and Officer failures to notice.

 

I raised and pursued this issue despite knowing that this would cost Friends of Braham Library (an organisation running a Community Library in Barham Park of which I am a Trustee) substantial amount of money.

 

I was proved to be right and the Property Unit eventually addressed this oversight and pursued the rent reviews and backdated the collection of the correct amounts due. The extra amount due to the Trust up to 31 March 2024 came to around £20,000.  Friends of Barham Library’s rent increased by around £750 a year and we paid over almost £2,000 backdated amount.

 

I get the impression that one of the large tenants has not yet paid the extra £15,000 or so due to them because of the failure to uplift their rent from 2019. 

 

The Barham Park Trustees have now agreed to embark on a commercial approach in dealing with the buildings in Barham Park. The intent is to renew leases which the Council Officers decided to run out - deliberately or by oversight - for a limited number of years only. 

 

The new approach will have a serious impact on some of the small charities operating in Barham Park including the Barham Veterans Club who were originally set up by a partnership between Wembley and Middlesex County Council as far back as 1947. The days when the Veterans could use their premises free of charge and were supported with a £4,000 a year grant are long gone.

 

I will pursue the issue of commercial rents another time. My concern in this email is the double standards employed by Brent Council when dealing with itself as compared to how they deal with the voluntary sector and charities.

 

The affairs of the Barham Park Trust are managed by Brent Council Officers. While ultimate responsibility lies with the Trustees - currently all Labour Councillors including the Leader - they have effectively washed their hands of responsibility and delegated virtually everything to officers.

 

Any arrangements between the Trust and the Council have to be at “arm’s length” and not on any favourable terms.

 

The Council has been allowed to lease one Unit in the Barham Buildings for a Children Centre. That Children Centre was closed many years ago and the supposed replacement use and activities of the unit is highly questionable.

 

The Lease prepared by Council Officers between the Trust and the Council is highly unusual.

 

While Leases with 3rd party charities or community organisations have an upward only rent review every 5 years - and I have high lighted extra rent this generates above - surprisingly the Lease with the Council has no such clause and no rent increase has been applied.

 

This is clearly very odd and very unfair. While expecting charities to pay more the Council has ensured that it does not have to. The Council has a clear conflict of interest but has also clearly failed to follow the simple ‘arm’s length’ rule to ovoid it.

 

Officers also ensured that the Council benefit is amplified allowing the lease to expire while continuing to pay the old rent rather than a newly and independently determined market rent.

 

So, while imposing market rents on others the Council has ensured that the impact of pursuing a market rent policy is avoided by the Council itself.

 

This clearly is not right. The Barham Park Charity has lost out as a result of this cavalier approach while Charity tenants have been treated less favourably while also being threatened with eviction if failing to agree to pay market rents.

 

As I was denied the right to speak at the recent Trust Meeting, I am making my concerns public.

 

I look forward to an equal public explanation and justification as to why in relation to the Unit the Council leases from Barham Park Trust the Council is not treated the same as everyone else.

 

Paul Lorber

 

 

Strawberries and scones celebrate 80th anniversary of Titus Barham's gift to Wembley

From Friends of Barham Library

Saturday 8 July was the 80th Anniversary since Titus Barham "Wembley's Greatest Benefactor" donated his home and gardens in Sudbury which became Barham Park.

Friends of Barham Library held a Celebration 'Vintage' Tea Party in honour of Titus Barham as a Thank You for his generous gift. As the gift took place in 1937 thirty seven lucky people, whose names were drawn out of a hat, including 6 members of the Barham family, were served a traditional afternoon tea. The Tea Party was held inside the Community Library itself specially decorated for the occasion.

Gaynor Lloyd and Paul Lorber, two Trustees of Friends of Barham Library, and the waitresses dressed up in a traditional 1937 way, to serve and entertain the invited guests.

To make sure that no one missed out the following day Friends of Barham Library opened their doors to their Community Library in Barham Park and served strawberies and traditional scones with cream and jam to around 150 people who came to a picnic in Barham Park and watched a Kino Van showing films of how people lived in the 1930s.

Milk & More, a Muller Company which took over part of the former Express Dairy business, donated the cream, jam and many other items for the Party. All the work putting on the event was carried out by local Volunteers.

News and Appeal from Barham Community Library

Now Barham Community Library faces difficulties

We have already covered the threat to Preston Community Library and allegations from the volunteers that Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt has broken an election promise, now the Council is in conflict with Friends of Barham Library (FoBL).

Tomorrow the  Barham Trust will consider a report (extract below) which gives details of a dispute over a rent free period and the fitting out costs for a community library:

The Trust Committee decided to grant the lease in respect of Unit 4, The Lounge, to The Friends of Barham Library (FoBL) at its meeting on 8 October 2015 on the general terms set out in the marketing particulars and the specific terms offered in the bid submitted by FoBL. The marketing particulars did not offer a rent free period. Nor did the bid submitted by FoBL propose a rent free period for the first year of the term of the lease. 


Subsequently, during the lease document preparation process, the FoBL requested a rent free period. The FoBL argued that the Vets had been offered a 12 month rent free period and therefore in the interests of fairness they should be offered the same terms. The FoBL also relied upon the fact that in order for them to operate their library services they would need to incur substantial fitting out costs. 


Consistent with the Trust Committee’s decision, the Heads of Terms prepared by the Council and dated 19 January 2016, and which the FoBL agreed, did not include a rent free period. However, a draft lease prepared by the Council in March of this year inadvertently included a 12 month rent free period. According to the FoBL the inclusion of a rent free period was not a mistake. They argue that they asked for it and it appeared in the lease and therefore it has been agreed and they have relied upon it in good faith and to their detriment ever since. 


The Council would maintain, however, that a rent free period has not been agreed. It was obvious to officers that the basis upon which the Trust Committee decided to grant a lease to the FoBL did not permit officers to forfeit rental income totalling £7,000. In the circumstances, there can be little doubt that officers had neither the actual or ostensible authority to do so. 


The officers concerned have confirmed that a rent free period had not been agreed and the extensive correspondence between the Council and the FoBL bears that out. The inclusion of the rent free clause in the lease was a mistake and when it came to light, albeit some months later, the FoBL were informed. 


The Council’s Heads of Terms were expressly marked ‘without prejudice’ and ‘subject to contract’. Although the draft copies of the lease were not, in accordance with legal convention and general legal principles, they did not need to be. A draft lease, contract etc. has no legal force and is not legally binding during the drafting process. It becomes legally binding upon its completion. If a prospective tenant chooses to incur expenses and changes their position on reliance of a draft lease, they do so at their own risk. 


The various Units at Barham Park have been let individually and subject to different letting processes and terms depending on the different commercial and other considerations unique to that Unit. The contention that FoBL should have a rent free period just because it has been approved in respect of a different Unit is not sustainable. Different terms for different Units do not amount to unfairness. 


FoBL competed in an open competition in order to realise their ambition to take up occupation of the Lounge. A rent free period was not on offer and no such concession was requested prior to the acceptance of the successful bid submitted by FoBL. In these circumstances, it is incumbent on all bidders to anticipate start-up and running costs in any bid submitted to ensure that bids can be assessed on an equal footing. 


In the circumstances, the Trust Committee need to consider whether to grant a rent free period to FoBL and, if so, for how long. This is a matter for the Trust Committee to decide consistent with the Council’s obligations as trustee which include acting in the best interests of the Trust and in accordance with its fiduciary duties. The Council also has to act in accordance with public law principles. 


Whatever the technical legal arguments, as the Trust Committee will appreciate, there is considerably more at stake. The letting of the Lounge has already been a protracted process demanding a disproportionate amount of resources both at Trust Committee and officer level. Any further delay will only add to the costs incurred by both the Council and the FoBL. 


If the Trust Committee were to agree to the request for a rent free period, the Trust would suffer a loss in rental income. The amount would of course depend on the period. A 12 month rent free period would cost the Trust £7,000. 


In addition, the Trust Committee should note that during the lease negotiation period, the FoBL sought permission “to move items in for storage” because they had to vacate their former premises. This was allowed and since then, in preparation of their occupation, FoBL have already incurred fitting out costs. This, they would argue clearly evidences their commitment to complete the lease and ensure they can be up and running without any further delay. 


That being the case, it is equally important from the point of view of the Trust that the impasse between the Council and the FoBL is resolved once and for all. It is suggested that the FoBL be given the opportunity to complete a lease of the Lounge on the terms set by the Trust Committee by no later than 16 September 2016. If the lease is not completed, it is suggested that the offer of a lease to the FoBL be withdrawn and that the Trust’s Property Adviser be authorised to review the other bids received in 2015 and return to the Trust Committee with recommendations 


You may think fair enough, independent Trustees will be able to adjudicate but all the Trustees are members of the Brent Labour Cabinet and the chair is Margaret McLennan, deputy leader of the Council.

Preston Library urges support for Barham campaigners at this afternoon's meeting

FromPreston Library Campaign

From this Saturday, we'll be showing films in the library every Saturday night at 7.30. These films are free for members of the library (you can join at the door), and we will be taking donations towards the library's work.

Our next pub quiz is on Monday 26 October at 7.30 in The Preston. Unfortunately last month's quiz was on a cold and very wet evening - I hope to see lots more of you this month.
The library itself will continue to open and to offer the full range of library services from 11-5 on Saturdays and 1-5 on Sundays.

Finally, can I draw your attention to a meeting of the Barham Park Trust Committee at the Civic Centre this Thursday, 8 October, at 3pm. The trustees will be making a decision on Friends of Barham Library's bid to run a library in Barham Park. We at Preston Library have had a huge amount of help from library groups at Barham, Kensal Rise, Cricklewood and elsewhere, and we're looking forward to a time in the very near future when Brent will have a group of four mutually supportive volunteer-run libraries. The Barham Trust meeting is open to the public, and I'm sure Friends of Barham Library would welcome your support.

Thanks for your continuing support.

Barham Park library decision tomorrow - meeting open to the public

The meeting of the Barham Park Trust that will decide whether the Barham library campaign will be granted the lease on the Lounge for a community library takes place tomorrow (Thursday)  at 3pm at Brent Civic Centre (Boardroom 2) LINK

The meeting is open to the public but attendance will be limited by it taking place during working hours.

See Gaynor's Lloyd's guest blog on the campaign HERE

See Friends of Barham Library's bid for the lease HERE 

Your chance to share in Sudbury’s history

Guest blog by Philip Grant

Next Saturday, 10^th October, everyone in the Sudbury area of Brent will have the chance to discover what an interesting place they live in. For months, local people from the Sudbury Court and Sudbury Town Residents’ Associations, Friends of Barham Library and two local primary schools have been working with Wembley History Society. Adopting old photographs and postcards (some from as early as the 1890’s), taking matching colour views of the same locations today and researching some of the stories behind the pictures, they have put together an exhibition for everyone in Sudbury to enjoy. It will be open at Sudbury Methodist Church Hall from 2pm to 5.30pm, and is free of charge.

The “Sudbury – Then and Now” display will comprise thirty-five pairs of images, taking you on a winding route through the area, from Watford Road and the Sudbury Court Estate in the north to Barham Park and Wembley Fire Station in the south. Four of these have been contributed by Sudbury and Barham Primary Schools, whose Year 5 classes used some of the old photos for their own local history projects in the summer term. As one of their teachers said: ‘The children were stunned to know how close they were to local living history, and were left wanting to know more.’

If you live in Sudbury, and would like to know more about the special history that is all around you, although perhaps without realising it is there, please come along to the exhibition next Saturday. As the poster below says: everyone is welcome!

Questions of accountability for Barham Park Trust meeting tomorrow

The Barham Park Trust will be meeting tomorrow to consider its future governance arrangements and recommendation on the future of the buildings in the park.

Having spent possibly thousands of pounds on advice from Bircham Dyson Bell, specialists in the law of trusts and charities, five options are discussed, and maintenance of the status quo recommended by officers.

This maintains a structure which gives control of the Trust to Labour Cabinet members with no alternative councillor or community trustee voices.

Titus Barham of course gave his home for the benefit of residents of Wembley and future use of the buildings is passionately disputed.

The Trustees will be considering a number of recommendations to market the buildings. 

Recommendations
2.1       That the Trust approve the marketing of the Card Room (Unit 1) for a possible Café A3 and/or D1 use and to authorise the Property Adviser to the Trust in conjunction with the Trust Chair to select and let the unit to a suitable tenant on terms to be agreed.
2.2       That the Lounge (Unit 4) be marketed for a D1 and/or an A3 Use depending on the outcome of the marketing of the Card Room, or marketed in conjunction with the Card Room as a D1 use and to authorise the Property Adviser to the Trust in conjunction with the Trust Chair to select and let the unit to a suitable tenant on terms to be agreed.
2.3       That the Trust directly lease the Snooker and Billiard Rooms, (Unit 2), to the current occupiers, The Barham Park Veterans’ Club (Wembley), under appropriate leasing arrangements to ensure compliance with the aims of the Charitable Trust. The terms of the lease to be as set out below in Para 3.6 or as amended by the Property Adviser to the Trust in conjunction with the Trust Chair/
2.4       To obtain an independent valuation of the terms proposed between the Council and the Trust so that another application can be made to the Charity Commission for consent to lease the Children’s Centre (Unit 8) to the Council as Nursery Education Grant funded childcare open 5 days per week with children centre sessions being delivered in evenings and at weekends and to agree the Council can sub-let the space to a third party for similar use only. 

The 15 year lease granted to ACAVA (Association for Cultural Advancement through Visual Art) for a number of units on the site has been opposed by many local people as not benefiting local people in the spirit of Barham's legacy. This followed a Planning Appeal that cost £9,000 which I understand the Trust (and it is claimed therefore Brent Council) will pay, rather than ACAVA. The rental income (before service charges) is below that officers first projected.

In the light of the controversy over the Welsh School's bid to set up their school on the Bowling Green Pavilion site at King Edward VII these proposals are clearly important in terms of setting a precedent for other parks.

The Friends of Barham Library have been campaigning for the use of one of the Barham buildings as a community library having successfully run libraries at Sudbury Town station and a shop in Wembley High Road.

The report states:

The Trust has already received an offer from the Friends of Barham Library, (FOBL), for the Card Room and the Trust maybe minded to pursue this offer as the FOBL has charitable status with similar aims, in certain respects, to the Trust’s.

Alternatively the Trust could suggest to the FOBL that they may wish to consider participating in the tender process, should the Trust decide to approve the recommendation to instruct officers to conduct another marketing campaign for this Unit.
As mentioned above the Vets currently make occasional informal use of this space and they will be similarly advised of the intention to market the space should the Trust so approve.

(iii) It should be noted that The Card Room, is of a simple timber frame construction.  It is in poor condition and will require considerable expenditure to secure any long term use. Any ingoing tenant will need to not only install catering facilities, but will also need to expend a comparatively large sum of money on the Unit to carry out basic and essential improvements. Thus if a suitable tenant is not procured through this marketing process, it may then be necessary to consider demolition of the building as the cost of repair would not be economic for the Trust to undertake as a speculative project.

Local people have argued for some time that the Trust had been neglecting the buildings and letting them fall into disrepair as they prevaricated over their  future.  There are claims that after spending £220,000 on repairs and refurbishment that water has damaged newly refurbished floors and ceilings.

Bid to Open Children's Library and Study Space in Barham Park building

From Friends of Barham Library

Friends of Barham Library have identified a second empty building in Barham Park as suitable for much needed community use.

A few weeks ago the Barham Volunteers made a bid to the Barham Park Charity to be allowed to take over the empty Cardroom building in Barham Park so that they could reopen a Library in the area. They have now made a bid for a 2nd empty space within the Barham Park Buildings for the opening of a separate Children Library and Study Space for children and young people of Sudbury & Wembley.

The 2nd space used to be the Council's Parks Department Reception area but has been empty for at least 5 years. According to Francis Henry of Daniels Estate Agents, who is acting as the Property Manager for Friends of Barham Library on a volunteer basis, the room which is around 30 sq metres in size would be ideal for a standalone Children Library for the area.

The room is accessed from the main Harrow Road and is clearly visible. It is also close to the bus stops for numerous local buses serving the area and a short walk from the Barham Park play area and small car park.

According to Paul Lorber, a former Councillor for the area, the biggest losers of the closure of Barham Park Library were children and young people and a replacement library is much needed.
While the Barham Volunteers continue to run two volunteer libraries and second hand bookshops from temporary premises in Sudbury Town Underground Station and 428 High Road Wembley what they need is permanent premises within Barham Park so that they can expand their activities and provide a full blown library service that the local area needs.

Paul Lorber said:

We have fantastic local support which has enabled us to keep going and to run two volunteer Libraries for around 3 years. We have shown our ability to get things done and we now want to make the best possible use of the empty parts of the Barham Park buildings to expand our library and educational service to the local community.

Besides running the book lending and selling service from their two temporary premises the Barham Volunteers also run English Conversation Classes, an Arts & Crafts Club and Chess Club for Children and let their space out to an elders Bridge Club and for advice sessions to young people.

The decision to allow Friends of Barham Library access to the empty parts of the Barham Buildings lies with four Labour Councillors who currently act as Trustees of the Barham Park Charity. The Trustees are due to meet at the end of January when it is hoped that they will finally agree to let local people to open a Volunteers run Library in Barham Park.

Anyone wishing to support the "We want to get back to Barham Park volunteer library campaign" should visit the existing Friends of Barham Library premises in Sudbury Town Underground Statio open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. or 428 High Road Wembley (near Daniels Estate Agents & KFC) open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm.
 

Cafe in the Park is Pie in the Sky - Let us have a library instead

Guest blog from Friends of Barham Library

A while back Sudbury Town Residents Association persuaded a Cafe owner to rename his business in Sudbury Town "Sudbury Tea Rooms". He spent money on new signage and promotion and invited locals for a free sampling.

They came for a freebie but rarely again. The place closed down soon after.

Amazingly someone else opened a new Cafe in the Parade in East Lane near Watford Road. Within weeks the business was under new management.

Those of us in the know were certain that the venture had no chance of success. Passing today I note the windows covered up and presumably the Cafe closed down.

A while back a girl started a cafe in Sudbury Town Station. She happens to be a relative of Merle Amory a Labour Leader of Brent Council briefly in the 1980s. She is no longer open every day as business is slack.

All of this sends a simple message - it is tough to make a success of running a Cafe in the Sudbury area - yet Brent Council officers still persist with their pie in the sky notion of a Cafe in Barham Park - even though they have done nothing about it for 13 months since the Barham Park Trustees were persuade to endorse this.

Key question is - are Brent Council Officers and Councillors so determined to stop local residents to open a Volunteer Library in Barham Park that they will pursue any delaying tactic possible or will they at long last stop wasting time and money and convert platitudes into some decisive action and let Friends of Barham Library get access to the empty Card Room in Barham Park? The Volunteers have even offered to provide refreshments besides the many other services local people need.

Paul Lorber for Friends of Barham Library

Battling Friends of Barham Library impress on National Libraries Day

After my visit to Kensal Rise Library for National Libraries Day I took the 18 bus up the Harrow Road to Sudbury Town Station. Campaigners for the closed down Barham Library have a 3 month letting on a vacant room there which has a month or so to run. They also have a shop on Wembley High Road.

The Sudbury Town library looks very professional and hosts a variety of clubs as well as the book lending/sale activities.

 

I popped into Barham's other 'branch' on Wembley High Road, opposite Copland School and again was impressed by all the work and commitment that has gone into providing books and a social space for local people. The sheer staying power of campaigners is amazing.

 

Paul Lorber cleared of Code breach over Barham Library by Independent Investigator

Paul Lorber, right kneeling, outside the Barham Library building

Following a complaint by Cllr Powney that Cllr Paul Lorber (Liberal Democrat leader) breached the Council's Code of Conduct for Members an Independent Investigator has made the recommended  finding that he did not breach the Code.

Cllr Powney was the architect of the Library Transformation Project that closed six of Brent's 12 libraries, including Barham Library.

Councillor Powney alleged that during an email exchange with Mr Duncan Smith, Artistic Director of the Association for Cultural Advancement through Visual Arts ACAVA), in September 2013, about the organisation's proposed tenure of the library building, Councillor Lorber:

• adopted a tone that was both offensive and intimidating
• disclosed confidential information in relation to ACAVA's proposed tenancy
•  improperly used his position as a councillor to confer or attempt to confer an advantage to the Friends of Barham Library, a charity on whih Cllr Lorber acted as trustee.

The full report by Alex Oran, Independent Investigator, will be considered by the Committee on Thursday January 9th and can reject the recommendation although Fiona Ledden recommends that the Committee accepts it. The full report is HERE

Although the discussion could turn into a political Punch and Judy Show this thoughtful report merits a calm discussion on the role of councillors, their community involvements and what constitutes 'robust' communication.

This was recognised by the Independent Person, Sola Afuape who accepted the recommendation but according to Fiona Ledden:

...did however consider that there are a number of issues that give rise to questions and concerns coming out of the report, which she considered would be helpful to explore in discussions at the Standards Committee. The issue around conflict of interests, given the different roles a councillor may have in the community, should be considered. It may be helpful for clear written advice to assist members and enable the committee to promote integrity and probity as well as transparency. Brent has a very diverse community which could lead to councillors being in positions where conflicts arise, from competing community groups, hence clear published guidance would assist members in making sure proper declarations are made.

I have extracted the following from the report to give a flavour of the issues considered by Alex Oram:

In considering whether this amounts to a breach of the Code I consider it important that members should be able to express themselves in a robust manner that allows them to be passionate. While Councillor Lorber’s comments and questions were direct and forceful, none were in my view offensive or demeaning.

In my experience organisations whose work involves either the receipt of public money or their entering into contracts with a local authority should be prepared for tough questioning. Mr Smith was clearly not used to being challenged in the way that he was in this instance. While I acknowledge Mr Smith’s right to respond in the manner that he did, at no stage in the correspondence did Councillor Lorber cross the line from robust questioning into personal abuse or anything resembling the defamation he was accused of. Nor did the overall context of the exchange – email communications between Councillor Lorber, Mr Duncan, the ACAVA trustees and then the entire Council - render Mr Duncan at a disadvantage in any way as would be the case had Councillor Lorber attacked him or his charity in the Council chamber.

I consider that Councillor Lorber’s comments were political or quasi-political in nature and benefit from a high level of protection under the Human Rights legislation. With this in mind my view is that the bar Councillor Lorber would have to cross, in terms of disrespectful behaviour, to breach the code is set high. While I am of the view that some of Councillor Lorber’s comments were ill judged and unwise, it is my view that Councillor Lorber’s comments were not so serious as to amount to a failure to comply with paragraph 3(1) of the Code and that any such finding would be a disproportionate restriction on Councillor Lorber’s right to freedom of expression

The Localism Act makes it clear that it is proper for councillors to play an active part in local discussions and that people can elect their councillor confident in the knowledge that they will be able to act on the issues they care about and have campaigned on. In many cases councillors themselves will have a long track record of community activism before they were elected – their inspiration to serve their local communities will often have its roots in community work. The Act encourages councillors to reshape their role away from bureaucratically-driven, paper-heavy  meetings and processes, to much more creative roles leading and energising their local communities and encouraging self-organised  groups to be ambitious.

In trying to advantage the Friends of Barham Library Councillor Lorber was attempting to further a goal which he believed would bring a clear benefit to the community he represents. Councillor Lorber has maybe taken a more proactive role than many councillors might have under similar circumstances. However I have found no evidence that Councillor Lorber’s financial interests or those of his family or associates would be affected in any way by the outcome of any part of his correspondence with Mr Smith. In this regard I note that the Friends of Barham Library is answerable to the Charity Commission for its activities as a registered charity and that it is a Company guaranteed without share.

In my view, the threshold for a failure to comply with paragraph 5 of the Code in the case of expressions of view has to be set at a level that allows for the passion and fervour that often accompanies political debate or exchanges relating to decisions made by the Council. This is entirely consistent with the objective of maintaining proper standards in public life. In my view at no time did Councillor Lorber conduct himself in a manner that one might view as reducing the public’s confidence in him to able to fulfil his role; or adversely affecting the reputation of members generally.

Barham Library campaign to oppose Trustees' Appeal

Statement from Friends of Barham Library

The attempt to change the planning designation from 'community use'  for the Barham Library building  failed when the Planning Committee voted by 6 votes to 1 to REFUSE the planning application on the grounds that there would then be far too little genuine 'community space' in the remaining parts of the building.

Sadly the Labour Councillors who sit as Trustees of the Barham Park Charity (the Charity and not the Council own the building) have now decided to spend around £10,000 on an Appeal against the decision of the Planning Committee. The Appeal will now be heard by an independent Planning Inspector from Bristol but not for another 6 months.

The Barham Library building has now been empty for over 26 months and will now remain empty for another 6 while we await the Appeal Hearing. This is just an appalling waste of time and money.

We will of course oppose the Appeal and keep up the fight to get Barham Library reopened.

Popping into the Pop Up Library

I took  two crates of books into the Barham Pop Up Library today on its first Saturday at Barham Primary School.  There was a plentiful supply of books being processed by the volunteers and many children present. The place was buzzing with a sense of purpose and determination.

Although I support volunteer libraries as an interim measure what I really want to see in the long term is the reopening of the closed libraries (they may have to be on new sites if the Council succeeds in selling any off) properly funded by the local authority and professionally staffed.

Meanwhile the community spirit that has fed the campaign against library closures was very much in evidence and really should shame the Labour councillors who supported the closures which so damage community cohesion and the life chances of our young people.