Upper Norwood Library is London’s only independent library. It is jointly funded by Lambeth and Croydon councils, but independently managed by its staff.
Croydon council have now withdrawn funding because they accuse Lambeth of breaking the councils’ joint agreement on running and funding the library. This means Croydon do not have to give a minimum of one years notice before withdrawing funds.
Croydon have given Lambeth three options. They are: to buy Croydon’s share of the library, to lease Croydon’s share of the library and to run it or to sell the library and split the profit between the two councils.
There was no official representative from Croydon council at the meeting whilst Florence Nosegbe represented Lambeth Council.
After much discussion it was decided that the two boroughs should be persuaded to sit down together to discuss funding options.
A unanimous motion was passed calling on Croydon and Lambeth councils: “To meet and resolve funding issues so that the Upper Norwood Joint Library is placed on a firm financial footing for the foreseeable future with such a meeting to take place no later than December 31st.”
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