Agenda item

The Executive heard from representatives of residents who had signed a number of petitions in support of keeping libraries open. Whilst recognising the council’s financial situation, speakers put forward the benefits of local libraries which were used by schools, were valued by local residents in particular the elderly, parents with young children and hard to reach groups. Proposals for ‘mega libraries’ were not seen as a suitable alternative as they were impersonal and parents with small children and disadvantaged groups were unlikely to travel either on foot or public transport.

Samantha Warrington spoke in support of Preston Library which she felt was convenient to longstanding users and parents and provided an excellent value for money service and a means of access for those without computers or whose first language was not English particularly single parents. Councillor Colwill (ward councillor, Kenton) endorsed the views expressed in favour of the retention of Preston Library. He referred to correspondence received concerning an elderly resident in support of the campaign recalling the change from a mobile van to the current permanent premises and the vast array of choice that became available. Mr Pollock (local resident) spoke on behalf of petitioners in support of the retention of Cricklewood Library and the personal service staff were able to provide. Mr Pollock reminded the Executive that under the terms of the lease, the library and land could only be used for such purposes. Maurice Cohen addressed the Executive concerning the petition calling for the retention of Neasden Library as resident of the locality for approximately 70 years. He referred to £400,000 spent in the recent past refurbishing the premises which was in a prime location soon to attract more visitors with the forthcoming supermarket. This was seen to be the only community facility in area and had played a key role in revitalising the area. Violet Steele (Chair of Brent Pensioners’ Forum) spoke in support of Barham Park Library and which complemented the park within which it was situated. Local people were disappointed at the prospect of closure especially as the library had only recently been modernised and had been looking forward to celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2012. David Butcher addressed the Executive in support of Kensal Rise Library and handed in a petition at the meeting. He made reference to the consultation process. Groups that had made the effort to put forward alternative options in the absence of any clear criteria, felt their proposals had been rejected without due consideration. While accepting that they may not have experience in library service provision, they had transferable skills from their experience in other fields. He rejected comparisons with other unsuccessful efforts to have community run ventures as Kensal Rise Library was in a prime location, urged the council to consider the alternatives on offer, to talk to community groups and avoid enthusiasm turning into resentment.

Other local residents addressed the Executive against proposals to close local libraries. In support of Preston Library Jackson and Jasmine Warrington said that their local library at Preston Road was a wonderful place to which they as children could travel easily and independently. It had helped friends who previously had been unable to read or who did not have their own computers. The library was useful as a place where children could concentrate and do their homework as bookshops were far away and not everyone could afford to buy books. Jacky Bunce-Linsell expressed concern that proposals she had submitted had been omitted from the initial consultation response in error, information requested regarding costings had not been supplied and now community groups’ proposals were being criticised for failing to address the information requested. She questioned whether due consideration had been given to obligations under the Equalities Act to consider the needs and wishes of the Jewish community and added that a community run library would save money. Linda Green argued that young children needed books with which they could physically interact which was not possible with on-line publications or other screen based technological innovations. Additionally, babies could not take advantage of school outreach services. The new Civic Centre would not be accessible by public transport on Wembley Stadium event days. She urged the council to find more imaginative ways of making budget savings and to defer a final decision until other ideas had been tested.

Other local residents addressed the Executive in support of Cricklewood Library. Graham Durham referred to the high number of library visits which he felt had contributed to the borough’s improving schools. He was proud that as a former councillor, he had played a role in the development of Willesden Green Library. A high percentage used libraries for books to help studies and not for play and he highlighted the benefits to the environment of walking to a local library, particularly with young children. Finally, Mr Durham suggested that officer salaries be used to help meet budget shortfalls. Jack Sayers said that there had been previous efforts over the years to close Cricklewood Library and he urged the community to use the library more and to get together to run it.

Mel Hacker stated that contrary to popular belief, areas such as Preston were undergoing demographic changes and a significant proportion of children were eligible for free school meals. Additionally, he felt that the consultation exercise should have been more open and drew comparisons with a neighbouring borough where residents were given choices and asked to express preferences for how savings could be made. Philip Bromberg referred to the thousands who had signed petitions both users and non-users and lack of public support for the proposals to close libraries in the face of which the council should reject the closure plans. He felt that the council would be called to account for the closures when other local authorities had been able to retain theirs.

Ward councillors were then invited to address the Executive. Councillor HB Patel (Preston ward) stated that the present and the future were built on the past and that the proposed closures were a temporary solution to current budget constraints. Funding received from the government that could have funded libraries been put to other uses. He felt that residents had not been given adequate information had not been taken seriously and did not support proposals for a ‘mega-library’ at the new civic centre. Councillor Lorber (Leader of the Opposition, Sudbury ward councillor) stated that during the previous Administration, he had resisted opportunities to close libraries and concentrated investment on a few. Investment in shared facilities had reduced costs and introduced new users. He paid tribute to campaigners who, in recognition of the financial realities, had offered help but he felt had been dismissed as naïve amateurs. Councillor Lorber stated that residents needed proper information and to be treated as professionals adding that he was still awaiting information on the premises costs of Barham Library and the financial contribution of the children’s centre. Councillor Beck (ward councillor, Dollis Hill) drew attention to statistics in the report on walking times from Neasden Library to nearby alternatives and argued a more meaningful measurement would be from where people lived to Willesden Green or the Town Hall Library which at 40 minutes on foot he considered to be excessive. He stated that given the recent investment and number of users, the closure of Neasden was unjustifiable. Councillor Kansagra (ward councillor, Kenton) stated that library closures had been a significant issue in the recent by election. He referred to funding contributed by central government that instead of being used to protect frontline services had instead been put into reserves. Councillor Kansagra felt that the council should have helped residents to prepare business plans but had already made decisions to reduce the libraries budget and once closed, libraries would not re-open. Councillor D Brown (ward councillor, Alperton) questioned whether the usage of the new libraries would be as high as that achieved with the shared service provision. He stated that residents’ groups trying to put forward alternatives had been obstructed with a lack of information and wondered how the council could afford a new civic centre. Councillor Brown contributed that children would be denied the pleasure of walking to local libraries and urged the Executive not to agree the closure proposals.

On behalf the Executive, Councillor John thanked speakers for attending and for their contributions.