Library 2

"PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL" LIBRARY MEMO LEAKED

25-06-2008

The Stirrer can reveal that desperate Birmingham Council bosses are secretly writing to key decision makers in the city calling on them to support the demolition of the Central Library.

An email marked “Private And Confidential” has been doing the rounds following the news that English Heritage is recommending the building should be listed (see link here).

Needless to say, this website wasn’t on the distribution list – but remarkably, a copy has found its way into our inbox.

Council officers have even helpfully provided a bullet point list of arguments in favour of demolition, which you can see here.

Here’s that secret memo in full:

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

Birmingham Central Library - application for immunity from listing

The City Council has now received a copy of English Heritage's report to the Secretary of State following our application for immunity from listing for the Central Library building.

As anticipated, English Heritage are recommending that the building should be listed Grade II. We are advised that Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, will now consider all the evidence and make the final decision. DCMS are unable to give a timetable for this, however the City Council now has a short time to comment on English Heritage’s report.

Your continued support at this critical stage in the process will be most valuable. To this end, we would be grateful if you would write a letter, addressed to Margaret Hodge (see below); attached to this e-mail is a reminder of some of the points you may wish to refer to. Please could you forward your signed letter to us, at the address below, by Monday 7 July, and we will collate all the supporting letters to accompany our response to DCMS.

I should stress that this is our last opportunity to emphasise to DCMS just how vital this decision is to the future regeneration and long-term success of Birmingham City Centre. I very much hope that you will support us again at this final stage.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Please deliver your signed letter supporting the case for immunity, in an envelope marked 'Private & Confidential' to:

Sara Rowell
Client Project Manager, Library of Birmingham
2nd Floor, Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham B3 3HQ

Address for Margaret Hodge:
Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP
Department for Culture Media & Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH

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