LIVEWIRE has clashed with MP Helen Jones after claiming she was unwilling to meet with them about plans to close libraries across the town.

But Mrs Jones hit back, saying she would not be pushed around by the company, which she claims only wanted to speak to her after they started to receive ‘bad publicity’ about their proposals.

LiveWire held a public consultation into plans to shut libraries in Stockton Heath, Lymm, Penketh, Padgate, Culcheth, Warrington Town Centre, Burtonwood, Westbrook and Birchwood.

It is looking to move some into hubs in the town in a similar way to its operations in Woolston and Orford.

LiveWire bosses Paul Taylor and Emma Hutchinson recently met with Warrington South Conservative MP David Mowat to discuss the proposals but said Labour MP Helen Jones refused to meet with the company.

Board member, Mr Taylor said: “We also approached the MP for Warrington North, Helen Jones to arrange a meeting to give her the opportunity to present her views on the library services in her constituency once the consultation started, but unfortunately she has declined to meet with us.

“We are concerned that without talking to her we are missing out on the opportunity to have a productive conversation about the consultation and the future of Warrington’s libraries and the effects of any of the proposed changes on her constituency.”

Ms Jones said the LiveWire boss’s power has ‘gone to his head’.

She said: “LiveWire did not attempt to talk to me prior to announcing their plans. They only thought of doing so after they started to get bad publicity about what they intended to do.

“I have made it clear to LiveWire that I am not willing to negotiate about closing libraries in my constituency.

“I told their chief executive that I will not meet her until the plans are withdrawn. 

“Therefore it is in her own hands. I am here to represent my constituents. I do not jump when an unelected and unaccountable body tells me to do so.

“Mr Taylor’s position on the board seems to have gone to his head and he wants to give instructions to an elected MP.

“I suggest that he thinks again but, if he wants to position LiveWire on one side of the political divide, then my constituents will take note of their political position.”

MP David Mowat ‘cautiously welcomed’ plans to shut nine libraries but was concerned they would leave areas in his Warrington South constituency without any library service.

After meeting with LiveWire, he said: “I had a productive meeting and I am encouraged that they are taking the responses received during the consultation into consideration as part of their report to the council.

“I hope that LiveWire will present a set of revised proposals that will reverse the decline in library usage across the borough but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.”

Mr Taylor said he is looking forward to working with Mr Mowat to improve services across the town.

LiveWire is currently preparing a report on responses to the library consultation, which will be presented to Warrington Borough Council.

Councillors have the final say on the decision, which is expected early next year.