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In full: Wirral library report
30.11.09 | Benedicte Page
The Wirral libraries inquiry report, published in full today (30th November), has found that Wirral council's plan to close libraries earlier this year was "in breach of its statutory duties under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964."
The 90-page report by public policy consultant Sue Charteris said the council "failed to make an assessment of local needs" before deciding to rationalise its library service by investing £20m in 13
Neighbourhood Centres, effectively replacing a service comprising 24 libraries.
Culture minister Margaret Hodge said that since Wirral council has now withdrawn its proposal to close 11 libraries, "it is no longer necessary for the Secretary of State to take a view on proposals which have since been dropped. There is therefore no finding that Wirral MBC are in breach of
their statutory duty."
Early responses from library campaigners were positive. Desmond Clarke said the report was "extremely good and thorough. It emphasises the fact that local authorities and their chief officers and strategic agencies have really got to listen to the view of those who use the libraries."
Tim Coates said: "Congratulations to Sue Charteris and to the campaigners on the Wirral. The first sighting of the long-awaited report makes good reading. It will be rare to find a council across the country that would satisfy the tests she has applied - that the council library service should understand (from evidence) the library needs of its residents and act logically in response to them."
He also questioned whether either the London Libraries Change Programme and the DCMS libraries review would satisfy these two tests, saying: "All the evidence so far suggests that . . . [they] would not."
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The Library Campaign
I trust no-one is trying to bury this Report. It is difficult for the average computer user to find. The Report seems not to feature on the MLA website, which I find extraordinary, and it is not even prominently featured on the DCMS website.
This is good news and is welcomed. Thanks to all those who supported the libraries.
Like Desmond and Time, I welcome Sue Charteris' conclusions that Wirral failed in its duties under the 1964 Act, did not plan to meet the needs of its residents, was illogical in its approach and failed to be open to public scrutiny. Sadly, council leader Steve Foulkes' continues to defend his actions and appears to have learned very little from the experience even though the Conservatives seem to have benefited from the debacle of the Labour/Lib Dem council leadership.
It is vital that library campaigners press home the lessons of this victory. 1,000 local people marched in protest at the proposals to close 11 libraries, half the branch network. Local meetings of up to 800 gave evidence of the opposition of local people. 50,000 people signed petitions. Even when then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham , a Merseysider himself, was 'not minded' to call an inquiry, we did not give up. He was met with a letter writing campaign demanding he change his mind, and duly did so.
It is up to defenders of libraries to make the Charteris report a benchmark by which to judge other councils. As Tim says, the London Libraries Change Programme seems a suitable case for treatment. If the DCMS review fails to provide a way forward for libraries, it is vital that book-lovers continue to campaign for library refurbishments, protection and development of book stocks and, most of all, a coherent vision for the future.
Like Desmond and Time, I welcome Sue Charteris' conclusions that Wirral failed in its duties under the 1964 Act, did not plan to meet the needs of its residents, was illogical in its approach and failed to be open to public scrutiny. Sadly, council leader Steve Foulkes' continues to defend his actions and appears to have learned very little from the experience even though the Conservatives seem to have benefited from the debacle of the Labour/Lib Dem council leadership.
It is vital that library campaigners press home the lessons of this victory. 1,000 local people marched in protest at the proposals to close 11 libraries, half the branch network. Local meetings of up to 800 gave evidence of the opposition of local people. 50,000 people signed petitions. Even when then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham , a Merseysider himself, was 'not minded' to call an inquiry, we did not give up. He was met with a letter writing campaign demanding he change his mind, and duly did so.
It is up to defenders of libraries to make the Charteris report a benchmark by which to judge other councils. As Tim says, the London Libraries Change Programme seems a suitable case for treatment. If the DCMS review fails to provide a way forward for libraries, it is vital that book-lovers continue to campaign for library refurbishments, protection and development of book stocks and, most of all, a coherent vision for the future.
This is good news and is welcomed. Thanks to all those who supported the libraries.
The Library Campaign
I trust no-one is trying to bury this Report. It is difficult for the average computer user to find. The Report seems not to feature on the MLA website, which I find extraordinary, and it is not even prominently featured on the DCMS website.