Thomas Bridge 20 March 2015

Cameron voices ‘anger’ over Birmingham Library closure plan

David Cameron has expressed ‘anger’ over planned cuts to opening hours at Birmingham Library put forward by the city council.

Speaking in Downing Street, the Conservative prime minister said the site was currently being used as a ‘political tool’ in the campaign over local government finances.

Opened in 2013, the £189m library could see opening hours falling from 73 hours per week to just 40 under Birmingham City Council savings plans.

‘I am angry about Birmingham City Library, because it is a brilliant building,’ Cameron told the Birmingham Mail.

‘Every time I come into Birmingham it is glinting in the sunlight because of that wonderful metallic framework. It’s a wonderful iconic building but it’s not just a building, it’s providing vital services.

‘The vision behind it originally was it was going to be owned by a trust, and so it would be more independent of the council’s finances. I think it’s a shame that didn’t happen.

‘And now it is being used almost as a sort of political tool by Birmingham City Council to parade their campaign about finances,’ the prime minister added.

Cameron said the council had necessary resources and ‘plenty of potential financial firepower to deliver good services’ but needed ‘some root and branch reform to find greater efficiencies, to use the money more wisely’.

‘It has a lot of work to do,’ he added.

Birmingham City Council was unable to comment on the prime minister’s statements after entering the pre-election purdah period.

Black hole spending review image

Black hole spending review

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, reflects on what the Spending Review means for local government.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Childcare Lawyer Solicitor

North Yorkshire Council
£37,035 - £49,764 per annum
Join a leading Legal Team in North Yorkshire! Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Maintenance Manager

North Yorkshire Council
£49,764 - £53,817 per annum
We are looking for an experienced co-ordinator to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Child Protection & Safeguarding Manager-Plumstead Manor School

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £23191 per annum
Plumstead Manor School Ref 108 Child Protection and Safeguarding Manager - Part time21 hours per week to be worked Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 39 England, London, Woolwich
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Director – IT and Digital Transformation

Redbridge London Borough Council
£Competitive
Are you ready to lead digital innovation and transformation in one of London’s most forward-thinking boroughs? Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Director – Community Safety and Cohesion

Redbridge London Borough Council
£Competitive
Are you ready to lead on safety, inclusion and community wellbeing in one of London’s most diverse and ambitious boroughs? Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Redbridge London Borough Council
Linkedin Banner