A POLITICAL row has broken out over the controversial decision to close New Mill Library.

Kirklees Council announced its decision to shut the library but angry Holme Valley councillors then vowed to keep it open.

Conservative councillor Donald Firth, who lives in the village, said: "They are trying to take away something which New Mill holds dear.

"It’s a place where people socialise.

"There’s no way I will allow the library to close."

Jason McCartney, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the region, joined Clr Firth outside New Mill Library to petition to keep the community facility open.

Mr McCartney said: "Along with Holme Valley South councillors Ken Sims and Nigel Patrick, myself and Donald are disgusted that the new Lib/Lab administration are going to close New Mill Library whilst pumping cash into libraries in their own wards.

"Shame on them.

"In the first hour of collecting signatures we filled four sheets and there are copies in the New Mill Post Office and the Co-op.

"New Mill village centre is a thriving little community and the library plays a big part in that."

"After the national government closed two of our local post offices and with the Chancellor poised to increase business rates by 5% for local traders we will fight for local services."

But Clr Christine Stanfield, the newly installed Kirklees Council cabinet member responsible for Libraries fought back and claimed the library was under used.

She said: "The suggestion that New Mill Library is to close because it is in a Conservative ward is absolute arrant nonsense.

"When setting this year’s budget, all political groups were aware that there had to be savage cuts across all services.

"New Mill was one of the cuts that the (Council’s) officers put forward to go to cabinet as it has the smallest number of book borrowers.

"All parties then made their amendments according to their priorities.

"The Conservative amendment did not put any further money into libraries which implies that they were happy to go along with the officers’ proposals to let New Mill Library close.

"The Partnership Administration offered the Conservatives the opportunity to talk over potential budget problems, but they refused.

"The fact is that New Mill is a very small library with an average of only one person a day wanting to take out a book.

"If the local councillors had been really concerned about the library they had plenty of opportunity to make financial arrangements in their budget.

"In fact if the Conservatives were still in control of the council both New Mill and Kirkburton Libraries would be closing.

"I am glad to say that the residents of New Mill will not be left without any access to a library as the mobile service will visit regularly and dedicated staff will ensure that the same high quality service continues."