Funding for Streatham library roof a possibility (From Streatham Guardian)

Funding for Streatham library roof a possibility

9:21am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in News By Alice Foster, Reporter

Funding to repair the roof of the Streatham Tate library could soon be confirmed, it has been claimed.

The council is discussing plans to pay £400,000 to carry out repairs at the library on Streatham High Road, a source said.

The new funding comes as a campaign continues against a proposal to move the library from the iconic Tate building. The Libraries Commission has proposed that other locations, such as Gracefield Gardens, should be explored if the library is not improved.

In response the council commissioned an assessment to look at options including moving the library. Earlier this year it appears that funding was diverted from Brixton and Streatham libraries to the new library in Clapham.

A cabinet report from November showed £1.5m was budgeted for Brixton and Streatham libraries for 2012-13 and £1.4m for 2013-14. However, a July report showed these sums would be shared between Brixton, Streatham and Clapham.

A council presentation to the Streatham Society, on July 16, noted that savings and efficiencies from Brixton and Streatham would fill a revenue gap in the new Clapham library.

Philip Sidaway, organiser of the Friends of Streatham Library Group, said: “Obviously any cut in funding to Streatham is disappointing. “I am just curious as to why there was a revenue gap in the new Clapham library.”

The group envisage keeping the library where it is and developing it to become the heart of the community.