Councillors Issue Formal Warning Over Controversial Library Lease Decision

A group of councillors has issued a formal warning to Monmouthshire County Council over its decision to lease the historic Carnegie Library in Abergavenny to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association for use as a mosque and community centre. The councillors, backed by the Christian Legal Centre, argue that the lease was awarded without proper consultation and transparency, and that the Council failed to obtain best value for the property.

Councillors Louise Brown, Simon Howarth, and Rachel Buckler, along with local resident John Hardwick, have sent a pre-action letter to the Council, signalling their intent to pursue a Judicial Review unless the Council withdraws the lease and initiates a new, transparent tender process. The 30-year lease was awarded to MMCA at an annual rent of just £6,000, despite internal Council estimates suggesting the property could command £20,000-£25,000 per year. The building, a Grade II listed sandstone structure built in 1905, was marketed for less than four weeks over the Christmas period, raising concerns about inadequate exposure and lack of community consultation.

Key Takeaways:

• Councillors have issued a formal warning to Monmouthshire County Council over its leasing of Carnegie Library to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association.
• The lease was awarded without proper consultation and transparency, and the Council failed to obtain best value for the property.
• The 30-year lease is worth £6,000 per year, despite internal estimates suggesting the property could command £20,000-£25,000 per year.
• The building was marketed for less than four weeks over the Christmas period, raising concerns about inadequate exposure and lack of community consultation.
• The proposal has sparked concerns about the lack of parking, proximity to single elderly residents in nearby almshouses, and the impact on local infrastructure.
• Councillors argue that the lease violates Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, which requires councils to obtain best value unless specific conditions are met.
• The Council has until 19 September 2025 to respond before formal legal proceedings may commence.

Statistics:

• £6,000: the annual rent paid by Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association for the Carnegie Library lease.
• £20,000-£25,000: the estimated annual value of the Carnegie Library property, according to internal Council estimates.
• 30 years: the length of the proposed lease.
• 1905: the year the Carnegie Library was built, a Grade II listed sandstone structure.
• 4 weeks: the time the building was marketed over the Christmas period.
• 19 September 2025: the deadline for the Council to respond before formal legal proceedings may commence.

Sources:

• Abergavenny Chronicle
• Christian Legal Centre
• Monmouthshire County Council
• Local Government Act 1972