This statement in from Jonathan Bacon, Independent County Councillor for Bembridge, St Helens and Brading. Ed
Independent Councillor Jonathan Bacon said today “Further to the statement made by Councillor Vanessa Churchman on behalf of the Independent Members of the Isle of Wight Council, stating that we will shortly be issuing detailed budgetary proposals which, if accepted, will enable us to save jobs and threatened services, I am specifically asking that the Conservative leadership withdraws its proposals for Library closures.
“Library closures unnecessary”
“The Independent Budget will show that such closures are unnecessary. There has been almost unanimous public criticism of and opposition to these proposals and a clear desire to keep the Library service as it is now – accessible and staffed by knowledgable professionals.
“It further seems that there is a clear possibility of a legal challenge to the proposals. In 2009 Wirral MBC attempted to pursue a proposal to close 11 of its 24 Libraries. As a result an Inspector was appointed under the 1964 Museums and Public Libraries Act. The result of her report was that that Council withdrew its proposals due to the serious risk of a legal challenge that was highlighted.”
Criticism from the Inspector
The Inspector stated in her critical report that:
The council failed to make an assessment of local needs in respect of its Library Services.
I am profoundly concerned at the lack of transparency of this process.
The council has not been able to demonstrate that it has had due regard to the general requirements of children. I consider this to be a breach of its statutory duties.
I believe that the evidence shows that the Council took the decision to close the libraries without having first established the extent and range of library provision it was providing within the buildings, including those which were ‘core’ to the service and which were ancillary.
My assessment is that the Council’s decision to close 11 of its libraries risks being a partial response to local need that would disadvantage relatively isolated and deprived communities. I therefore believe there to be a further breach in relation to the needs of deprived communities.
Following the report, the deputy leader of Wirral MBC stated that they withdrew the closure plans because of “the delay and uncertainty” arising from the inquiry and its effect on budget planning and because “we simply considered the risk of being found in breach of the Act too high for the council to take.”
Findings of the Wirral enquiry have now been incorporated into Central Government’s approach to this area and into the guidance they are issuing to Local Authorities.
Jonathan Bacon said “In light of this clear risk of costly and time wasting legal procedures, which there is plainly a will to take up if these proposals are pursued, together with the mass public opposition to the closures, the Conservative leadership should now withdraw the proposals and look to the clear alternatives that the Independent Councillors are putting forward.”
Image: © Isle of Wight council
