Wirral Council facing £20k legal bill for two-day libraries inquiry

Jun 12 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Liverpool Daily Post

Wirral Council facing £20,000 bill for barrister hired for two-day libraries inquiry

The then culture secretary Andy Burnham ordered the inquiry on April 3, a day before some of the libraries were due to close.

Cllr Holbrook said: “The inquiry was announced late, was unexpected and has then been, quite properly, conducted speedily.

“Preparation for the inquiry has therefore resulted in additional work for the legal services department and the council had to engage additional support.

“We would have been roundly criticised if, for example, in a high-profile planning inquiry, we were to lose because of inadequate legal support.”

Liscard’s Conservative councillor Leah Fraser told the Daily Post: “Instead of a barrister, why didn’t the leader of the council or any of his cabinet take part in the inquiry?

“Once again, Wirral council has confused its priorities and used taxpayers’ money to do it.

“This is yet further evidence the current leadership is out of touch.”

A decision is due on the future of Wirral’s libraries next month.