News

Vaizey: no intervention over Bolton, Lewisham and Isle of Wight closures

04.09.12 | Joshua Farrington

Three councils have been told there is little chance of an inquiry into the closures at their library services, despite the scale of the cuts taking place.

Ed Vaizey, minister for culture, communications and creative industries, has written to authorities in Bolton, Lewisham and the Isle of Wight informing them that he is not “minded to intervene” in any of their cases.

Bolton has lost of five of its 15 branches, while the Isle of Wight and Lewisham have seen a similar number close or pass into volunteer control. There have been strong local protests, with campaigners repeatedly calling on Vaizey to use his powers to intervene and objecting to a lack of response.

In his letter to Bolton Council, the minister said: “The Secretary of State's current view is that MBB (Metropolitan Borough of Bolton) continues to offer a comprehensive and efficient library service. There remain a substantial number of council run libraries across the Bolton area. Opening hours have been maintained or improved in many cases, and reductions in other cases have only been modest. Careful thought has been given to ensure that library services continue to be available to residents on an efficient and accessible basis.”

Vaizey added: “The changes were made following a public consultation. There appear to be no breaches of national library policy and no other good reason why an inquiry ought to be commenced.”

Campaigner Desmond Clarke commented: “Alas, Evaizey has evaded making a decision to intervene in three of the worst cases of authorities closing libraries. In opposition, he demanded that Andy Burnham should intervene in the Wirral but in office, he has failed to show any leadership and to speak up for library users. He has become just the voice of the bureaucrats in the DCMS.”

The secretary of state has asked for any further representations from interested parties to be submitted to the DCMS by September 17th.  Comments can be sent to enquiries@culture.gov.uk.

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By Shirley Burnham

Suffice it to say that there's no "slamming" from Mr Vaizey these days, as there was frequently in 2009 http://www.thebookseller.com/news/vaizey-slams-burnham.html
The new Secretary of State (Culture) Maria Miller MP is a woman, but whether she harbours any tender feelings for the public library service can only be guessed at today. Will she ask Mr Vaizey to do a little "slamming" on her behalf?
In her former position as Minister for the Disabled I have read these two items: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/06/minister-disabled-no-short... and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17288762 - But one can only hope Ms Miller can see the value in public libraries and empathise with those who rely on them. Hope springs eternal - and we shall soon know.

Tue, 04/09/2012 - 15:12
By Trevor Craig

It doesn't matter who they put in charge, its clearly government policy to not enforce the act, regardless of the circumstances. Government breaks its own laws and we the people who they are supposed to represent are powerless.

Tue, 04/09/2012 - 20:15
By andrewtheapplecruncher

@Desmond Clarke

Don't particularly agree with your view that Ed Vaizey is in the grip of his bureaucrats at the DCMS. In general your views seem pretty much to echo those of one Tim Coates, the 'trade' speaking, whereby anyone who isn't behind a counter, or a 'leader'..., is conveniently labelled as a bureaucrat.

Maybe they are indeed bureaucrats, or rather , civil servants. And as such, they will be aware of various policy options. The policy option chosen, or set by, Ed Vaizey is very clearly the one that refuses to enquire publicly into the behaviour of councils. And as an elected politician, the responsibility lies with him.

Vaizeys talk about public consultations is a joke. I live in Somerset, the so-called consultations were deeply manipulative. The Council brought in very expensive consultants from a government department to try to force their policy through.

AP

Thu, 06/09/2012 - 13:23
By Shirley Burnham

Suffice it to say that there's no "slamming" from Mr Vaizey these days, as there was frequently in 2009 http://www.thebookseller.com/news/vaizey-slams-burnham.html
The new Secretary of State (Culture) Maria Miller MP is a woman, but whether she harbours any tender feelings for the public library service can only be guessed at today. Will she ask Mr Vaizey to do a little "slamming" on her behalf?
In her former position as Minister for the Disabled I have read these two items: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/06/minister-disabled-no-short... and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17288762 - But one can only hope Ms Miller can see the value in public libraries and empathise with those who rely on them. Hope springs eternal - and we shall soon know.

Tue, 04/09/2012 - 15:12
By Trevor Craig

It doesn't matter who they put in charge, its clearly government policy to not enforce the act, regardless of the circumstances. Government breaks its own laws and we the people who they are supposed to represent are powerless.

Tue, 04/09/2012 - 20:15
By andrewtheapplecruncher

@Desmond Clarke

Don't particularly agree with your view that Ed Vaizey is in the grip of his bureaucrats at the DCMS. In general your views seem pretty much to echo those of one Tim Coates, the 'trade' speaking, whereby anyone who isn't behind a counter, or a 'leader'..., is conveniently labelled as a bureaucrat.

Maybe they are indeed bureaucrats, or rather , civil servants. And as such, they will be aware of various policy options. The policy option chosen, or set by, Ed Vaizey is very clearly the one that refuses to enquire publicly into the behaviour of councils. And as an elected politician, the responsibility lies with him.

Vaizeys talk about public consultations is a joke. I live in Somerset, the so-called consultations were deeply manipulative. The Council brought in very expensive consultants from a government department to try to force their policy through.

AP

Thu, 06/09/2012 - 13:23

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