CHINGFORD: Church submits library rescue plan (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Church submits library rescue plan

12:58pm Thursday 8th September 2011 in News By Ima Jackson-Obot

AS the future of the library service in South Chingford hangs in the balance, a church has submitted an alternative rescue plan to one proposed by local councillors.

The community has reacted angrily after the library in Hall Lane was earmarked for closure as the council attempts to save £1 million.

Critics of the plan said the elderly and vulnerable would be worst affected by the loss of the service.

Local Conservative councillors are in negotiations with town hall officers to set up a community-run library at a nearby council advice centre, Waltham Forest Direct, which has recently closed.

But the Church of England St Edmund's Parish Church in Larkswood Road believes the proposal is not sustainable.

Colin Setchfield, Honorary Secretary of the Parochial Church Council, said: "It will always be dependent on the number of people available.

"We like the idea of the community coming together to fight for something.

“But we don't think it provides a long-term solution because once volunteer numbers dry up the life of the library will dry up.”

Under the council plans, opening hours at libraries in other parts of the borough will be extended.

And the church has put forward a proposal recommending that hours remain the same at one of the proposed ‘super libraries’ and the money channelled into South Chingford.

Mr Setchfield added: “How can two libraries in the south of the borough, Leyton and Leytonstone, be offering the same service?

“What we are questioning is why a local library is to be closed just to make additional resources elsewhere.”

The church has also asked the council to look again at the findings from its library review, claiming it does not provide an accurate breakdown of services in the borough.

“The council's document breaks the borough up into the North, Central and the South, with the South being the most deprived,” Mr Setchfield said.

“But it fails to consider that within these areas like Chingford in the north of the borough, the southern part is one of the most deprived areas.”

The proposal is similar to one put forward by supporters of Harrow Green Library in Leytonstone, which is also earmarked for closure.

The 12-week consultation on the council proposals ends tomorrow (Friday September 9).

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