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Library campaigners have expressed strong concern over the announcement by culture minister Margaret Hodge that publication of the inquiry into the Wirral library service will be further delayed.
The inquiry, held in June by public policy consultant Sue Charteris, sought to establish whether Wirral council was in breach of its statutory obligations by planning to close 11 of its local branch libraries. A published report was originally expected in July, and then delayed to the autumn.
Speaking yesterday (8th October) at the Public Library Authorities conference, Hodge said that Wirral council's recent u-turn over the cuts meant the inquiry would not now be published this month as anticipated. "We must now circulate the Wirral's recent decision to all those who gave evidence at the Inquiry, so that they may have an opportunity to comment on the new evidence before I and the Secretary of State make a formal decision," she said.
Wirrral library campaigner Donald McCubbin protested: "I am extremely concerned that they will try and avoid publishing the full report by delaying as long as possible and only publishing an edited version. An awful lot of people struggled with the concept of 'statements of case' and 'proof of evidence' to present their evidence to the Inquiry. It was conducted with great fairness to all sides by Sue Charteris and it would be a gross insult to all the volunteers who took part to save their libraries if the report is not published in full and soon. . . We are owed the full report."
He added: "In a move to make the administration face the public an extraordinary meeting of Wirral Council has been called for Monday 12th October at 6.15pm at Wallasey Town Hall."
Library campaigner Tim Coates also expressed concern at the delay, saying: "Margaret Hodge said in her speech that 20 other library authorities were waiting for the Wirral inquiry report with 'more than an entirely academic interest'. That means 20 other library authorities want to close libraries.
Councils are deep into budget planning for next year and councils are looking for cuts - it is Margaret Hodge's responsibility to give guidance. It is irresponsible to go on forever saying 'We are going to say something.'"