Bumbling Brent councillors may delay decision on Willesden Green Library

Redevelopment plans could face a setback following the behaviour of confused politicans

A council meeting descended into pandemonium last night after bumbling councillors missed a vote which could delay the demolition of Willesden Green Library Centre.

Confused Labour councillors tried to get the vote taken again when they suddenly realised that by not voting it could jeopardise Brent Council’s plans to knock down the building in High Road, Willesden.

It is believed the contract was due to be been signed today.

The Times is waiting for confirmation from the council as to whether the agreement will be postponed.

The motion which Labour councillors should have voted on was put forward by the opposition Liberal Democrat group which called for Kensal Rise and Cricklewood libraries to re-open while Willesden Green Library is rebuilt.

Up to 50 residents attended the meeting including library supporter, Philip Bromberg, who said: “It was an extraordinary meeting. I don’t know if the councillors were asleep but everyone else in the room heard what they were voting for.”

Willesden Green Bookshop, which is Willesden Green Library Centre, has not been allocated space in the regeneration plans.

Martin Francis, who has set up an e-petition calling for it to be given space, said: “It was ridiculous. It was farcical. And to think, these are the people who are making the big decisions about the future of our borough.”

Brent Council closed down half of its libraries last year. It now wants to close Willesden Green Library Centre for two years and rebuild it.

The council says Willesden Green Library has struggled to fulfil potential and is poorly designed yet it was built about 23 years ago.

The local authority plans to select a developer which will be required to build the new cultural centre at no cost to the local authority.

In return the developer will be granted the right to also develop homes for sale.