Labour Councillors on the Council’s Neighbourhood Overview & Scrutiny Committee today voted down a call in request challenging the Council Cabinet’s decision to slash Library opening hours and potentially close 7 libraries from Green Party Councillor Julien Pritchard and Independent Councillor Martin Brooks.
The Neighbourhood Overview & Scrutiny Committee, which has a majority of Labour councillors, decided not to uphold the call in request. They also voted down three other requests from other parties.
The councillors asked for the call in because:
- The decision conflicts with council policies on digital access
- There were a number of concerns around the consultation
- There was no consideration of the effect of reducing opening hours on libraries’ use and viability.
- The information around the partner-led proposals was insufficient and potentially inaccurate.
Green Party Councillor Julien Pritchard said:
“This is incredibly disappointing. Many of the points made simply weren’t addressed by the Cabinet Member and officers. Despite this, the Labour Councillors decided not to allow the challenge to the cabinet decision. Yet again, Labour Councillors have shown no regard for the views of residents who rely on these vital community assets in voting for cuts to the Library service.
“Now our Libraries face shorter hours or complete closure for the partner led libraries if they fall through.“