THE Labour group on the council tried to force the sale of the former St James St library building on to a cabinet meeting agenda, it has emerged.

The building, in Coppermill Lane, has been empty since the library was closed in 2007 to the anger of campaigners, who have since called for the building to be re-opened for public use.

A report outlining buildings to be sold was due to come before last month's cabinet meeting, but in a private meeting beforehand Labour cabinet members tried to persuade Lib Dem leader and relevant portfolio holder John Macklin to add the library to the list.

Cllr Macklin refused and pulled the report, fearing that Labour would successfully amend it in a cabinet vote.

Cllr Macklin said: “The Labour group wanted to rush ahead without taking the facts into consideration.

“We want to make sure the possibility of community use has not been excluded.”

Cllr Macklin said a proper assessment of the building's potential uses has to be made before a decision to sell can be made.

The only way the building can be sold soon is if council leader Chris Robbins brings it forward as a separate item- something campaigners fear may happen at Tuesday's town hall meeting.

Janet Wright, of the St James St library campaign, said: “The Labour group seems determined to close the building, but they have never come up with a good reason why it should be.”

Cllr Robbins wanted to site a drug treatment centre in the building but reluctantly dropped the idea earlier in the year following public opposition.

Council leader Cllr Robbins has so far been unavailable for comment.