By John Baron
A Leeds MP says he is ‘engaging with the council’ on future options for the Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.
Leeds City Council is proposing to close Abbey House Museum as it faces an unprecedented strain on its finances – but the decision has sparked an outcry in West Leeds and beyond, and a petition against the closure has so far collected more than 3,600 names.
MP Alex Sobel, whose Leeds Central and Headingley includes Kirkstall ward, was asked by WLD for his position on the proposals which council chiefs say will save the authority £160,000.
Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel.
In a statement, Mr Sobel said: “I think it’s vital that we retain the collection for Leeds and I have been given guarantees that the collection will continue to be accessible to the people of Leeds.
“I also want to ensure that the public can continue to access the venue and am engaging with the council on what the future options for the building are.
“While the collection continues to be housed at Abbey House I think everyone should have access while the council undertakes its work on the future of both the collection and the building.”
Leeds City Council has launched a public consultation into the proposal to close the museum. The consultation runs until 23 January 2025 and feedback can be completed here.
Background
Job losses, service cuts, building closures and a council tax rise of almost five per cent are also being considered by Leeds City Council.
Latest figures show the council needs to save £106.4m during 2025/26 to avoid having it declare itself bankrupt. The Abbey House Museum closure could save £160,000.
The council faces rising costs in services including adult social care, while central Government support of local authorities has decreased over the past 14 years.
Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Abbey House Museum here.
WLD Cutswatch
WLD is following ongoing council cuts, closures and building sales in our Cutswatch series of articles.
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