Hungerford Library trust begs West Berkshire Council chief for rates relief

THE charitable trust which runs the Hungerford Library and Hub was shocked to receive a rates demand from West Berkshire Council.

And so they directly petitioned West Berkshire Council chief executive Nigel Lynn when he attended a full town council meeting on Monday (February 6).

The results were swift and dramatic.

The district council had proposed closing the library due to Government funding cuts in 2016, resulting in an innovative project by local people to save it.

At Monday's meeting, Hungerford Library Community Trust trustee Christine Hodgkin told of her shock at receiving a recent rates demand and told Mr Lynn: "West Berkshire Council did give the charity a generous set-up fund, which was put to good use but, from day one, the charity has had to find and maintain funding for the ongoing costs of running the library building complex.

"We do get an annual grant from Hungerford Town Council which is match funded, and in return the charity provides space for the council offices and the use of the library for meetings."

She pointed out that the charity provided space to local artisans who had donated £1,900 to charity last year as a result.

Mrs Hodgkin went on: "The Curve has not only raised funds, it also fulfils a further aim to creatively support and provide space for community initiatives – volunteers man the space and all contributors are local.

"We do appreciate when it comes to business rates that we do not fit into any category satisfactorily.

"However, this administrative difficulty doesn't seem reason enough to tax the trust's essential funds...it makes very little sense for West Berkshire Council to take money from the charity which exists to safeguard a West Berkshire Council building and we feel most strongly that an exception could and should be made to rectify the situation."

Mrs Hodgkin said approaches to the district council had been rebuffed and added: "This is our last stand to make people see sense."

Town mayor Helen Simpson said: "We're really passionate about this in Hungerford; we have to support and protect it.

"It's key to so much of what we do in the town and it works incredibly well due to the commitment of our volunteers."

Mr Lynn promised to look into the matter.

Yesterday (Wednesday), after following up directly with Mr Lynn, the Newbury Weekly News received the following statement from West Berkshire Council: "Since this issue was raised at the meeting a resolution has been found to ensure that the Hungerford Library and Community Trust are not left out of pocket.

"The requirement to pay business rates is not something we have discretion over but we have looked flexibly at this unfortunate issue and will be offering the trust help to cover their costs.

"We value the work of the trust and their continued commitment to the community hub and serving residents in the Hungerford area.

"We want to continue working closely together and are pleased to have resolved this issue for them."