Folkestone Library Closure: KCC Must Get a Central Library Back and Retain Grace Hill

Folkerstone and Hyhe Lib Dems Group Leader Tim Prater has backed calls by the Alliance of Folkestone Residents Associations (AFRA) and the New Folkestone Society for an an immediate halt to any further actions relating to the future of Grace Hill Library in Folkestone until the full history of decision making is made public and proper consultation is undertaken

The AFRA and New Folkestone Society statement in full said:

We call on officers and elected members to put an IMMEDIATE HALT to any further actions which serve to dismantle the Grace Hill library facilities or determine the future of the building, pending a full and public inquiry.

We also call for any possible limited usage to resume as soon as possible. We demand a public meeting and further information to explain:

1. The rationale for the KCC public statement;
2. The state of play in exploring a range of options, which could include, for example:
   • To retain the building under a different management model;
   • To review usage in tandem with the current review of service locations;
   • To consider this in the context of The Place Plan and other Folkestone public amenities;
3. Why any significant building issues weren’t picked up during previous major work programmes;
4. How the assessment of works and costs has been carried out and the chronology of events;
5. When officers became aware of these issues;
6. When these were reported to KCC cabinet/councillors;
7. How public communications and consultation have been managed.

In repsonse, Tim Prater commented:

"We fully endorse the AFRA statement and position.

"We need more facts as soon as possible, the reopening of the library, even if on a limited basis initially, and a commitment to the retention, repair and refurbishment of a building allowed to decay for far too long.

"The KCC line that they may, potentially, apply for a Government grant that will take many months to determine is simply not good enough. We need a commitment to Folkestone, and Grace Hill, now.

"Kent County Council need to be brought to book for the current state of Grace Hill Library."