A public consultation on the future of Bath’s central library has been so “confusing” it is next to useless, according to a lawyer in the city. Bath and North East Somerset Council wants to relocate and “modernise” the library but its attempts to get feedback from the public have left many feeling as if the council keeps “changing the goalposts”. Since the library consultation began on February 1, references in the preamble to a planned move 300m down the road to smaller premises have disappeared and re-appeared.
The council has clarified that the aim of the current consultation is to get feedback on “proposals to integrate Bath Central Library with the council’s One Stop Shop services”.
It says it will consult on the proposed relocation from the Podium to the council-owned Lewis House at a later date.
But Dan Carey, a public lawyer and library dad who is helping campaigners opposed to the proposed move, believes the council has confused so many people with its consultations that it is of “little use”.
Mr Carey said: “despite B&NES’ confusing language, this consultation is still not the consultation on relocation and downsizing.
“The council has undertaken in legal correspondence that that will come later.
“Other than as a face saving exercise, there seems little point in continuing to consult people on where to put the book shelves in Lewis House when the council has ‘walked back’ its decision on whether the library will relocate and downsize at all.
“Consultees’ confusion is only compounded by the council’s delphic explanations, although I hope it will now clarify things with a clear consultation timetable shortly.
“It is certainly needed: there is a big mismatch in expectation that they are failing to manage.
“The sad conclusion is that the current consultation is so compromised by these obfuscations that it is of little use.
“No-one knows with confidence or certainty what it’s about, save that we do know that the big consultation – on relocation – is still to come.”
When asked about the lawyer’s opinion, the council referred the Bath Chronicle to information already on its website.
A spokesman added: “When this public consultation closes, the feedback will form part of a wider business case, including options for location based on a wide range of data and statistical analysis. This will be alongside a detailed Equality Impact and Needs Assessment.
“These options will be considered by cabinet and put out for the public to have their say as part of a second consultation.
“No final decision will be taken at this point.
“We will publish a summary of a business case with options for design, layout and location, and this will be subject to extensive further consultation and engagement with users and the wider community.
“A decision on the business case, taking into account both consultations and the Equality Impact and Needs Assessment, is expected to be made later in the year.”
The council claims that moving the library to Lewis House would save taxpayers £800,000 a year.
