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High Court challenge launched over library cuts in Gloucestershire and Somerset

23.02.11 | Bookseller Staff

A High Court challenge is being launched over library closures in Gloucestershire and Somerset, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.

A challenge to the coalition government's "vague" Big Society concept, the judicial review will focus on the legality of proposals drawn up by county councils to cut library services in their areas, including a slashing of 38 Gloucestershire libraries with full opening hours to just nine.

Public Interest Lawyers (PIL), acting on behalf of local library users, has sent a letter before action, challenging the reliance of the two shires "on Big Society community-transfer initiatives" which conflicts with their "clear statutory obligation to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for everyone wanting to use it". The News Post Leader reports that the firm's lawyers also argue that the councils did not consult properly with local people nor pay proper attention to the needs of vulnerable groups.

PIL said in a statement: "Gloucestershire County Council proposes to reduce the number of libraries with full opening hours from 38 to nine, and to cut the mobile library service for persons in rural areas entirely.

"Somerset County Council initially proposed to cut 20 of 34 libraries and to reduce mobile libraries from six services to two. They have since announced that the cuts will be reduced to one third of libraries, but without showing how this would be financed."

PIL solicitor Phil Shiner added: "Councils cannot pin their hopes on vague notions of the Big Society when they are required by Parliament to maintain a comprehensive and efficient library service for everyone in the county."

The launch is expected to take place within a few weeks.

 

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By Joanne

I came from a family who had no books at home, going to my local library was the best part of my week, I read amazing stories and got help with homework, 44 years on I still value my local library. Libraries are not just books they are so much more and if my local library in Gloucestershire is going to be run by volunteers then I for one will not be using it, libraries and the big society is a toxic mix.

I hope with all my heart that Gloucestershire county council are made to change their plans, it will be a sad day if public libraries are closed and handed over to volunteers.

Fri, 25/02/2011 - 21:33
By Axelowtl

By cutting static and mobile library services in big, largely rural counties, such as Somerset and Gloucestershire, rural towns and villages will lose still more services. This will accelerate a trend that has increasingly turned them from demographically mixed communities into enclaves for the well-off and able-bodied, who are mobile and able to satisfy most of their needs privately.
'Community-transfer initiatives' are absurd, since the 'community' is already the collective owner of the library service. Volunteers cannot be compelled to provide regular staffing - this is the nature of voluntary work. If they are under any form of contract, then they qualify for the minimum wage, and cease to be volunteers.

Wed, 02/03/2011 - 14:43
By Anonymous

The problem in my part of the world is not library closures. North Lanarkshire Council is too well aware of the 1964 act. Also, Airdrie Library was the first in Scotland to adopt the public libraries act and the councillors know that we are proud of this. No, my library is dying from the death of a thousand cuts. Our funding has been reduced to the same ammount as a library assistants salary. No new books, no customers. Everybody goes to Tesco and the council triumphantly declares that libraries are declining. The barbarians are at the door, so good luck Somerset and Gloucestershire Libraries. We are with you all the way.

Tue, 08/03/2011 - 15:20
By Anonymous

To the previous anonymous, get your facts right. The 1964 Act applies to England and Wales. N Lanarkshire are right to ignore it

Wed, 09/03/2011 - 15:38
By Joanne

I came from a family who had no books at home, going to my local library was the best part of my week, I read amazing stories and got help with homework, 44 years on I still value my local library. Libraries are not just books they are so much more and if my local library in Gloucestershire is going to be run by volunteers then I for one will not be using it, libraries and the big society is a toxic mix.

I hope with all my heart that Gloucestershire county council are made to change their plans, it will be a sad day if public libraries are closed and handed over to volunteers.

Fri, 25/02/2011 - 21:33
By Axelowtl

By cutting static and mobile library services in big, largely rural counties, such as Somerset and Gloucestershire, rural towns and villages will lose still more services. This will accelerate a trend that has increasingly turned them from demographically mixed communities into enclaves for the well-off and able-bodied, who are mobile and able to satisfy most of their needs privately.
'Community-transfer initiatives' are absurd, since the 'community' is already the collective owner of the library service. Volunteers cannot be compelled to provide regular staffing - this is the nature of voluntary work. If they are under any form of contract, then they qualify for the minimum wage, and cease to be volunteers.

Wed, 02/03/2011 - 14:43
By Anonymous

The problem in my part of the world is not library closures. North Lanarkshire Council is too well aware of the 1964 act. Also, Airdrie Library was the first in Scotland to adopt the public libraries act and the councillors know that we are proud of this. No, my library is dying from the death of a thousand cuts. Our funding has been reduced to the same ammount as a library assistants salary. No new books, no customers. Everybody goes to Tesco and the council triumphantly declares that libraries are declining. The barbarians are at the door, so good luck Somerset and Gloucestershire Libraries. We are with you all the way.

Tue, 08/03/2011 - 15:20
By Anonymous

To the previous anonymous, get your facts right. The 1964 Act applies to England and Wales. N Lanarkshire are right to ignore it

Wed, 09/03/2011 - 15:38

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