“We Didn’t Enter Politics to Close Libraries”

Havering Council has defended its decision to close three local libraries, citing severe budget pressures and rising maintenance costs. Despite strong opposition from residents, councillors argue that the closures are necessary to protect the remaining library network and meet financial obligations.

Below is the full speech delivered at this evening’s council meeting by Deputy Leader of Havering, Cllr. Gillian Ford, outlining the reasoning behind the decision.

“I certainly never came into local politics to close local libraries, and I guarantee that nobody in the chamber here tonight came into local government to close local libraries. I did my degree in English Literature and know full well the escapism the facts and dreams reading can bring. Reading is the key to learning and should be encouraged.

“But Havering has not received the funding it needs to deliver the 500 plus services that it provides. We are all paying for high social care demand through our Council Tax and annual settlements do not take into consideration our social care pressures.

“I took the opportunity last year to write to the Minister for culture outlining the pressures Havering faces and the details on the feedback from the consultation. However, he declined to offer any solutions. I am aware officers have been receiving some support from the DCM, although none of it financial.

“Library closures were on the previous Administrations Agenda for budget savings and therefore will not come as a surprise to their Members that we have had to consider the library portfolio within the borough.

“The maintenance and upkeep of Libraries were not a priority for the previous Administration and no budget was set aside for their long-term up-keep and sustainability. We have therefore multiple libraries that require substantial repairs, maintenance, even rebuilds in the case of Collier Row. Having seen the conditions surveys for all of the boroughs libraries, I can confirm the three libraries proposed for closure conditions surveys include cracks in external brick work, roofing problems and single glazed units without kite marks which may not be compliant with Part K of the Building Regulations. What they don’t include is electrical surveys.

“Last year’s budget included a £300k cut in library services and MHCLG expects the delivery of the 2024 budget, as a condition of the Capitalisation Directive. Just to reiterate this cut is not part of this year’s budget as it is accounted in last years, and formed part of those budget consultations.

“On agreement of the 2024 Budget, the Library review, strategy and consultation were progressed. The initial proposal was for the closure of 4 libraries out of 5. Full details of the consultation responses can be found starting at page 1021 of the report. 82% of respondents do not want to see library closures. I understand that the O & S Places Sub-Committee requested a second consultation be conducted. DCM have not made any indication that this is necessary and what would it add to the already known facts that residents and Councillors do not want to close libraries.

“The three libraries proposed for closure have the lowest footfall out of all of the wards, and South Hornchurch has a strong reliance on the library to support community activities.

“There is a saving of £288k, however there is also a saving of at least £415k for visual repairs and maintenance of the three libraries proposed for closure. There is also every likelihood that repair costs would exceed the £415k if an in-depth survey were to be undertaken, taking retention costs up to at least £850k.

“The distance residents will have travel to their closest alternative library can be found starting on page 957 of the report, and as you can see they are in keeping with the distances other areas experience, in some cases they are in fact shorter.

“The Council needs to be in a position to be able to sustain the remaining libraries to a good state of repair. If no action is taken, they themselves start to become at risk.

“Just to be clear, the decision before us is about the closure of libraries only. Any plans, schemes or projects for the individual sites will require separate executive decisions.

“However, I do appreciate that Members and more importantly the public want to know what the Council proposes to do with the sites. Schemes will be worked up into tangible plans but I can share with you this evening the headline proposals for each site.

“I will start with South Hornchurch. There is a high need for community space as the library footfall demonstrated, within the consultation. The development of the existing site, will support the community centre expansion.

“Discussions have already started with the community group there, around the addition of another floor on the community building that is set to remain. There have also been conversations around a library offer from the community centre including book swaps etc. The development of the library site, will support the community centre expansion.

“In regard to Gidea Park library, Members will be aware that a 300 pupil SEND School is proposed on the Balgores site behind the Library.

“We have a chronic shortage of respite care for families in Havering and it is proposed that the library site would be the right location to work with the send school to the rear of the site. The school has committed to work with the community so there are a number of opportunities that can be explored going forward for community engagement. This is an invest to save proposal. There are discussions currently being undertaken as to an interim community use, however these are at the preliminary stage and may not be practical but we will ensure partners are kept advised of the details as and when they become available.

“Now moving to the third and final library, Harold Wood. The library is proposed for closure but discussions have already started around the re provision of a library service within the ward in collaboration with community groups. I understand two meetings have already taken place which ward Councillors have been invited to, and hope they will continue to engage in the discussions going forward. I appreciate the ward Councillors are keen for the community group to take over the management of the library, however as stated in my response at Full Council, this would require a permanent member of staff to be employed as it is a Council Asset. The budget saving for last year has to be delivered and therefore a delay in the process, does not deliver this saving and there are no guarantees that the Friends Group of Harold Wood Library would be able to secure the funding required for a member of full-time staff and the maintenance of the site. It is also of note that the Friends of Harold Wood have not positioned themselves to take over the running of the library. Consideration was also given to development of the library site for a mixed development which would require the continuation of staffing and future maintenance costs, and was therefore not an economically viable option.

“There was also a question asking if alternative savings could be found elsewhere, could they be considered for the retention of the libraries? The reality is if additional monies or savings were to be realised, these would have to be used against the budget deficit and reduce the capitalisation loan we have been forced to ask of the government.

“I don’t need to go into all of the mitigation actions as they are laid out on page 961 within the report, but I will just say, children’s learning must include access to books, and an outreach offer to schools and community settings will be developed for those areas impacted by a library closure.

“Whilst it is customary to invite Cabinet Members to agree proposals, the closure of libraries is not a decision any one of us have the pleasure in agreeing. Without these three closures we cannot cover their costs, we place remaining libraries at risk, and we would not be delivering the improvement and transformation plan agreed at Full Council last July, in accordance with MHCLG’s requirements.”

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