MEHBOOB Khan could lose his grip on Kirklees Council’s leadership today – over controversial cuts to village libraries.
The Lib Dems yesterday announced they would vote against the Labour man when he stands for re-election this afternoon.
And the newly-formed alliance between the Greens and the Valley Independents also revealed they will not back Clr Khan to continue in office.
The announcements leave the Labour leader three votes short of a majority on the 69-strong council.
Last year the Lib Dems abstained in the leadership vote, allowing Clr Khan to head a minority administration.
But last night Lib Dem leader Clr Kath Pinnock said her 10-strong group would vote against the Labour man over concerns about cuts.
Council officials have proposed saving money by withdrawing paid staff from seven village libraries.
Officers want volunteers to take over the centres in Slaithwaite, Lepton, Golcar, Honley, Kirkheaton, Denby Dale and Shepley.
And Clr Pinnock said: “The Labour leadership have failed to give categoric assurances about the future of some vital local services. We have consistently argued that our libraries must remain open and with a professional librarian.
“The Labour leadership have so far failed to respond positively to these reasonable requests. Consequently, we will be voting against Labour.”
The newly-formed alliance between the Greens and the Valley Independents also announced this week that they would oppose Clr Khan continuing as leader at today’s annual council meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall.
Clr Andrew Cooper, co-leader of the group, said: “The Greens and Valley Independents will be voting against Clr Khan.
“We’ve tried to get assurances on libraries but we don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
“We need a greater commitment that we’re going to have staffed libraries in village centres.
“I think the Lib Dems have shown that there is funding that could be used to support that.”
Clr Cooper added that the opposition Conservatives appeared uninterested in putting forward a candidate for leader.
“We’ve not been approached by the Conservatives. I’m not aware of any attempt to form an alternative administration,” said the Newsome man.
“Perhaps one will arise if we don’t get an answer to the libraries question.”
Clr Robert Light, who leads the 18-strong Conservatives, also called for assurances on libraries yesterday.
“We are not interested in a quick fix or stay of execution, the Conservative group regard our libraries as vital parts of our communities which can develop as key council contact points.
“We believe that long-term solutions are key to take them out of the annual round of budget reductions,” said the Birstall and Birkenshaw man.
“I am calling on Clr Khan to commit to a long-term future for libraries as part of the council’s commitment to all communities in Kirklees.”
Clr Khan last night said the council was trying to cope with spending cuts imposed by central government.
“The Lib Dems have allowed a Conservative government to cut Kirklees Council’s spending by almost three times more than David Cameron’s council in Oxfordshire,” said the Greenhead representative.
“These unfair cuts could have led to the loss of libraries but there are no plans to close any libraries in Kirklees.”
Clr Khan added that the Greens and Valley Independents “cannot be relied upon to vote consistently to tackle the big issues facing local people”.
The Labour man believes his party, which gained five seats at this month’s election, deserves to continue leading the council.
“Those who vote against the largest party will vote against the will of the electorate,” he said.
“They are putting petty politics above the outcome of the recent elections.”
When asked if he feared he would lose his job as council leader today, Clr Khan replied: “What will be is what will be.”
