WALTHAM FOREST: Library closure report "flawed" (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Library closure report "flawed"

1:11pm Tuesday 27th September 2011 in Waltham Forest News

INFORMATION which led to two libraries being earmarked for closure was flawed, according to a committee of councillors.

A panel set up to scrutinise the council’s proposed shake-up of the library service in Waltham Forest has concluded that South Chingford and Harrow Green Libraries do not need to shutdown, despite a squeeze on spending.

The panel said a report to cabinet did not provide adequate detail on the number of people who use libraries and the lack of information made it difficult to reach valid conclusions.

It also said not enough consideration had been given to the fact that young people would be reluctant to travel to other postcodes due to gang tensions.

South Chingord Library in Hall Lane and Harrow Green library in Leytonstone have been earmarked for closure to cut costs by £1 million.

The plans include extending opening hours at other libraries, which would also provide access to other council services.

But community campaigns have been launched to save both libraries and alternative proposals to save money are being drawn up.

Now the scrutiny panel has made 19 recommendations which, it claims, would remove the need to close facilities .

The recommendations include:

• No decision until details of anticipated costs of changes at remaining libraries were provided

• Reconsider proposed opening times with a view to keeping all existing libraries open

• Assess hire charges and consider moving council staff into Harrow Green Library

The panel also called for more details to be published about how the expected £1 million will be saved and what other service models were considered.

St Edmund’s Parish Church in Larkswood Road, Chingford, has put forward an alternative proposal to keep South Chingford Library open and was critical of the information used to justify closure.

Reverend Leslie Goldsmith said: The council also needs to get all its facts straight before making the decisions.

"I am always hopefull that If one has a consultation then one has to believe views will be taken into account.

"We believe that in taking other services away from South Chingford, such as the Waltham Forest Direct shop, it is absolutely vital to keep a service, such as the library here."

Harrow Green library in High Road, Leytonstone, is also used by Acacia Children’s Centre, which provides vital support for mothers and their children.

A representative told the committee that the proposed closure would create financial uncertainty for the group, which serves families in two of the borough’s most deprived wards.

A council spokesman said: "The report was presented to September Cabinet and formally noted.

"The report is a summary of scrutiny recommendations and will be considered along with all other representations made as part of the formal consultation process."

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