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Library campaigner Tim Coates yesterday (9th June) called for the public library service in Wirral to be given to a neighbouring local authority to manage, in evidence given on the first day of the local inquiry into Wirral's planned library closures.
In his submission, supplied in written form as ill health prevented him attending the inquiry in person, Coates argued that Wirral council was "not competent to serve as a public library authority". He added that the recommendations it had made for library closures should be withdrawn while a new management structure was drawn up.
The inquiry, set up in April by the then culture secretary Andy Burnham, is investigating whether the planned closure of 11 libraries in the Wirral are consistent with Wirral council's statutory duties to provide a "comprehensive and efficient" library service and is being led by public policy consultant Sue Charteris.
Yesterday critics of the council's plans had their say. Each of the 11 libraries threatened with closure presented evidence to the inquiry on how the closure would affect their community. Donald McCubbin, a campaigner for Irby library, said: "We produced a dossier of our criticism of the council and the consultation, and told Sue Charteris about the geography and demographics of the area and the effect on Irby of taking away the library, which would rip the heart out the village." He added: "It was a good, explorative day which went into a lot of detail on how the communities would be affected."
Dr Keith Bartlett, the MLA's Director of Engagement (North), also gave evidence that Wirral council's plans were neither "comprehensive" nor "efficient" as required under the 1964 Public Libraries Act. Coates said it was not clear enough exactly what the statutory obligations under the Act amount to, asking Charteris to make recommendations to improve the advice given to both ministers and local councils about what their obligations are.
The inquiry will conclude today, with Wirral council due to give its evidence and answer questions from Sue Charteris later this morning.