Labour want to close Southchurch Library and move the provision. Confelicity wants to keep Southchurch Library and repair it. What would you prefer?

I felt the need to clarify the situation regarding Southchurch Library given the response of Labour councillors trying to defend their position to close it.

I was disappointed to read today's Echo article that gave the council carte blanche to defend their position without riposte.

The situation breaks down to this question:

Do you believe Southchurch Library is closing if the council demolish the building and move the provision into Southend Adult College?

For some the answer will be no.

This is the stance the Labour coalition takes, as do some other residents.

That is their perception of the facts and though and I am quite prepared to accept their view as they see it.

However, my view is that regardless whether the provision is moved into Southend Adult College, if the council closes the doors of Southchurch Library and subsequently knocks it down, then Southchurch Library, itself, is closed.

Why is splitting hairs like this important?

Because Southend Labour claimed they would never close any libraries in Southend.

They think that by telling residents they are moving the provision, this counts as not closing any libraries. Well, when they originally “saved” the libraries from the Tory’s, they did not mention about demolishing library buildings and moving the provision - residents would have taken “not closing libraries” as not closing libraries!

To end this tit-for-tat, I will concede if the service is still available in Southchurch Adult College, then a service provision will exist. Not quite what they said on the tin, but if the exact provision is met then that’s their position. However, I will never budge an inch in recognising the clear and unmistakable fact that they would have closed Southchurch Library!

I do not want them to close Southchurch Library and have put in a Freedom of Information request asking specifically about the building. Cllr Cowan said it was "beyond repair", which is the cause of it's potential destruction. We shall see.

This is what I believe has happened...

Conversations have been had about cutting costs at the council. The council owns 176 assets, which cost £7.5 million to run. They have worked out that if they move the books out of Southchurch Library, they can save on costs and make more money out of that piece of land. As long as the public are told the provision will not be lost, politically, they will be able to get this through no worries.

Ultimately, the question for Southend residents is what do you want?

Labour want to close Southchurch Library and move the provision.

Confelicity wants to keep Southchurch Library and repair what needs repairing.

This aspiration for demolition is consistent with their stance to destroy swathes of green belt land by Bournes Green Chase to build 10,000 houses.

Not to worry if you do not vote for Confelicity in May 2026 at the next local elections, but I would caution against voting for Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Independent Group as this is what you will get.