Wirral Council's 'lack of transparency' over library closures (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral Council's 'lack of transparency' over library closures

1:40pm Monday 30th November 2009

Print
Email
Share
Comments(30)

By Justin Dunn »

A REPORT into Wirral Council's plan to close 11 libraries has heavily criticised the local authority for a "lack of transparency" and "a lack of logic".

And it concludes that had the closure plan proceeded, the authority would have breached its statutory duties.

Government-appointed inspector Sue Charteris says the council was "in breach of its statutory duties under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964" to provide "comprehensive and efficient public Library Services".

In her 90-page report, Ms Charteris writes that the council "failed to make an assessment of local needs (or alternatively to evidence knowledge of verifiable local needs) in respect of its Library Services".

She adds: "In the absence of such an assessment, I conclude that the council therefore cannot have reasonably met such needs in the context of its statutory duties and available resources.

"Without any such reference point of the needs to be met, the council was unable to identify a reasonable option for meeting such needs both comprehensively and efficiently.

"I am profoundly concerned at the lack of transparency of this process."

When it announced the closures, the council said it planned to reinvest £20m on new centres around the borough.

But the closures were scrapped on September 30 - two days before this report was originally going to be published.

"I do not believe that the council adequately assessed how well this model would meet the needs of its constituent communities before taking a decision to close 11 of its 24 libraries," says Ms Charteris.

"At best the decision was premature and does not demonstrate how specific needs within communities will be adequately met.

"As such, it is impossible for me to agree that the plans are reasonable or adequate.

"It is material that, in Wirral’s case, the lack of a consultation process that focused on libraries per se (rather than all leisure facilities including community centres) did make it difficult for the council to ensure and demonstrate that it was taking the needs of service users (current and prospective) into account.

"I addition to the lack of a link between information upon which the council could have rationally and reasonably based a service decision, the plans that have been submitted are not, in my view, of sufficient detail to satisfy the Inquiry that the service proposals will lead to a comprehensive and efficient service.

"Hence the only conclusion that can be made is that there has been a breach of Wirral MBC’s statutory duty.

"This leads me to conclude that the Secretary of State will need to be continuously assured that the local authority has the capability, capacity and determination to implement its plans for the revised service, although I recognise that this level of involvement is not an ideal solution for either parties."

She adds: "This difficult situation could still be turned round.

"It is not beyond the realms of imagination that this troubled time for the Library Service in Wirral could be a significant opportunity.

"Indeed, particularly given the debate this Inquiry has provoked, there is an opportunity now to draw on support available to the Council locally from the library user and campaign groups, potential partner organisations including Age Concern, the Reader Organisation and others; and regionally and nationally from other library authorities, CILIP and the MLA.

"Wirral MBC could, and arguably without considerably more expenditure, become an exemplary library authority whilst ensuring it is making the best use of its resources both now and in the future. These are not incompatible objectives.

"It is clear to me, from the Inquiry and the pre-Inquiry meetings, that libraries in the Wirral play a significant role in the lives of many Wirral residents.

"Wirral’s libraries are clearly seen as safe, neutral spaces to read and study, and to receive the advice of trusted staff. There is therefore the potential for them to provide added value to other council services.

"The challenge for Wirral MBC now is to regain trust, and work with library users and other stakeholders to redesign the service.

"To do this, Wirral MBC would need to be prepared to invest skills and time up front to develop a genuinely community based library service that is sustainable going forward."

MORE SOON - STAY WITH GLOBE ONLINE

Print
Email
Share
Comments(30)

Your Say Your Globe

Cllr. Pat Williams, Oxton says...
2:49pm Mon 30 Nov 09

I am not at all surprised to read the conclusions of Sue Charteris as reported in the Wirral Globe and must say that her findings are truly welcome. The people of Wirral have had a long wait, but at last the Report is in the public domain. As one who was opposed to the closure of the 11 Libraries from the start and was disciplined because I voted according to my conscience I feel truly vindicated. I hope that lessons have been learnt by those who embarked on this ill - conceived plan and that in the future they and all politicians will have the humility to properly consult, to listen to others and respect those who have years of political experience behind them. Nobody has all the answers but obviously those who opposed the closures have well were right all along and have truly won the battle – many congratulations to all involved and thank you Sue Charteris!