Calls for speedy Wirral libraries inquiry

Apr 6 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A GOVERNMENT-ORDERED inquiry into planned library closures in Wirral could take place within three months, council sources indicated last night.

Culture secretary Andy Burnham dramatically intervened at the end of last week, hours before the first libraries were due to close, as staff were preparing to start packaging books for removal to other libraries.

Wirral Council immediately halted the closures planned for the weekend pending the outcome of the inquiry, which is the first of its kind in 18 years.

But a legal challenge to the library closures will also go ahead, according to solicitor and independent councillor David Kirwan, who said it was “vitally important to maintain the legal pressure”.

Council leader Steve Foulkes had been upbeat last week, welcoming the inquiry and insisting it would “rubber stamp” the council’s plans which he said would “provide an improved and comprehensive library service”.

But Cllr Foulkes said he had spoken to culture minister Barbara Follett and made clear that she “understands we have a council to run and a budget to balance and we need to make progress sooner rather than later”.

Wirral Council had wanted to axe 11 of the borough’s 24 libraries and replace them with new “one-stop shop” centres at key locations – saving the authority around £3m.