Not the answer that we wanted to hear, but good to see the public relations department at East Sussex County Council is responding to enquiries from local people about the situation at Pevensey Bay Library.
As many local residents are aware the library has been closed since January because of flooding. An update of the situation moved from ‘closed due to flooding’ to the more worrying ‘closed until further notice’.
It was good to see a news post yesterday (March 10) about the situation. Councillor Chris Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for community services has now offered comment on behalf of the Council. He said, “We are sorry for any inconvenience that may be caused by the continued closure of Pevensey Bay Library.
“We are hoping to be able to provide a further update soon once all the necessary checks and assessments have been carried out.”
It is not the answer that we want, but it is an answer. The new East Sussex County Council communications platform, YourCounty, is a good way to communicate with the public. If local residents have not had the opportunity to see the useful news briefings, the platform is here.
Talking to Bay Life, one reader said, “do any of your team have any news about the library closure in the Bay since 8 January?
“Each time we pass the library, nothing seems to be happening inside; is it still drying out? The landlords seem to have done a lot of work converting the flats above, but the library is the only space without the new double glazing.
“The library information helpline has no news either. The Bay is not the same without this vital service!”
With an answer about situation from the County Council now, we are better informed about the situation.
It is not clear whether we have legal situation with regard to the work necessary to see the library put back into use because of some issue with the lease, or whether, because of the situation, for some other reason, there is now doubt about whether the library will be back in this location at all.
Circumstantial evidence would suggest that the latter thought might be closest to the mark. There seem to be real doubts now about whether the library will be back in its current location.
This would chime somewhat with what Councillor Chris Dowling has said on March 10. ‘Assessments carried out’ suggests perhaps that the Council is now taking stock of the situation beyond the initial question of flooding in January does it not?
We have to hope that having taken stock, that we will be seeing the books back on the shelves and the fabulous service offered by local staff in Pevensey Bay Library back somewhere close to home soon.
Credit to East Sussex County Council for now keeping local residents informed through their new useful news and information channel.
YourCounty is a new pro-active media communications channel set up by the Council, and an effective one.
