Last week, the council began a 14-day consultation, which residents can only take part in by filling out a four page form from the library. The consultation ends on Sunday 9th February.

It has since emerged that the plans were discussed by the Labour-led cabinet in private session back in July 2024 with a consultation pencilled in for the summer and there has been no explanation as to why it was delayed

Conservative councillors claim the then ward councillor, now MP, Catherine Fookes published a letter claiming she found out about the proposals from residents.

Former cabinet member Catherine Fookes’ resignation as a councillor at the end of the summer caused a by-election, which saw Conservative Martin Newell elected for Town ward.

“Only recently, Labour cabinet member Cllr Ben Callard denied the council had any plans to downgrade or move community hubs to smaller premises after being asked what the phrase ’realignment of community hubs’ meant as a point in the council’s 2025-26 budget plan,” said Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Richard John.

Local Conservatives have set up a petition calling on the council to protect the library and drop the plan to move it. It has been signed by over 500 residents.

The Rolls Hall, home to Monmouth Library since 1992, was gifted to the people of Monmouth to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The Council has not explained what would happen to the building if the library move goes ahead.

Cllr John added: “Running a consultation on such a big change for just 14 days and solely paper-based is extremely poor practice as many residents won’t have the chance to have their say.

“Monmouth Library and Community Hub is a popular resource and venue for around 20,000 people living in Monmouth and the many surrounding villages.

“The library is located within a few hundred yards of the local schools, is next door to the foodbank and has shared space with Welsh Women’s Aid, so it’s ideally situated.

“Any residents who go to the trouble of reading the council’s 116 page budget papers won’t be aware of this proposal because it simply says ‘realignment of community hubs’ with no explanation as to what that’s code for.

“It has since emerged that Labour councillors had a private meeting about this proposal back in July 2024 but for some reason have sat on it until now, while their MP claims not to have been aware of the proposal, even though she was the Monmouth Town ward councillor at the time.

“Downgrading this library and moving it to smaller space in the Shire Hall would be an act of vandalism and is not supported by local residents. I urge everyone to have their say on this proposal and send a clear message to the council that Monmouth Library must be protected.”