Wirral library inquiry: 'Control should go to another authority'

Jun 10 2009 By Liam Murphy

Wirral library closure protest

A CAMPAIGNER has told an inquiry into Wirral’s controversial library closures that the government should step in and hand control of them to a neighbouring authority.

Former Waterstones managing director Tim Coates, now a writer and library campaigner, said Wirral council’s existing service was poor and its plans to shut 11 venues might have implications for services across the country.

His comments were heard early on today in the public inquiry chaired by Sue Charteris, who was appointed by the former secretary of state for culture, Andy Burnham MP.

He had stepped in just hours before the first libraries were due to close and ordered the public inquiry, which started today at the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre, in New Brighton.

Ms Charteris made it repeatedly clear that the inquiry was focused on Wirral’s library service.

She said it would examine whether the set-up would meet the requirements of the 1964 Libraries Act, which requires the local authority to provide a "comprehensive and efficient service", following the proposed closure of 11 of the borough’s 24 libraries.

Mr Coates, who was unable to attend to read his evidence in person today after being taken seriously ill, had his statement read by Irby library supporter Donald McCubbin.

He said campaigners across the country fear "this model would tempt other councils".

He said Wirral showed nothing in its decisions which "attempts to show understanding of either the weak performance of their past operations, or of the library needs of residents, and what would be needed to make them comprehensive and efficient".

Mr Coates said: "I submit that Wirral council has demonstrated that it is not competent to provide a public library service for the standard to which local residents pay."

He said there should be "another management structure, possibly involving one of the more competent neighbouring councils taking over the role of library authority".

The inquiry started with comments from Alan Stennard, Wirral council’s director of regeneration, who said "rationalising" libraries would save the borough £800,000-a-year from its revenue budget.

He said the council’s budget estimate for 2009-10 for 24 libraries was £6,418,500, but with 13 libraries, it would reduce to £5,542,400.

But he also said delaying closing libraries as recommended in the council’s Strategic Asset Review would cost £68,000 per month.