Deputy Leader Responds to Library Closure Criticism By Romford Councillor.

Deputy Leader of Havering council, Councillor Gillian Ford, has responded to claims made by a Conservative Councillor regarding the proposed closure of three libraries in Havering, stating that his comments misrepresent discussions from a recent scrutiny meeting.

Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said,

“It is a shame that Cllr David Taylor has twisted what he heard at the Places Overview and Scrutiny on Monday 3 February.

“Officers were asked by the chair of the committee, Cllr David Taylor, to set out the proposals around the closure of three Havering libraries. No one wanted to do this. But they did not say or convey that they had to propose closures because we the administration told them to do so.

“Such claims compromise the role of Council Officers, don’t support a collaborative working environment, or deliver the appropriate scrutiny of proposals, which is the purpose of such a committee.

“Everyone at the Council has had to look at the ways we can make savings in light of year on year Government cuts to our funding. Sadly, one such cut is the decision to close three libraries.

“This is certainly not a position that we want to be in, but with the growing cost of children’s, adults and housing services, the bulk of which we have to provide by law, now taking up around 80% of the Council’s budget, there are simply no easy choices left.

“Following the Places Overview and Scrutiny review of proposals on Monday 3 February, Cllr David Taylor has claimed that the proposed closure of libraries may result in only half the planned savings being reached, due to the estimated costs of mothballing the three sites following closure.

“This isn’t wholly accurate, whilst mothballing costs would be incurred as set out in the report, it is understood that these costs would only reach the full amount in the unlikely event that the sites lay dormant for a whole year, while they await redevelopment or demolition.

“Crucially, the three libraries set to close represent the lowest footfall of all ten borough libraries, have alternative branches in close proximity to them, and each require significant financial investment in their buildings in order to continue to deliver a service – which the borough cannot afford.

“Although mothballing costs would exist for a period while the sites remain dormant, we would still be making much needed savings on our way to the full £288k savings without the added pressure of delivering the capital needed to continue to deliver a library service at those sites.

“Only by closing the sites will the full savings ever be realised.

“The new libraries strategy still maintains a comprehensive library service, as we look at alternative funding options with the very limited money we have.

“These alternatives include exploring the possibility of an enhanced community offer in South Hornchurch to support potential volunteer led book swaps, study spaces and other services offered within the current library.

“However, any community alternatives will not be financially comprehensive enough to cover the savings required at the sites where closures are proposed, so if community groups receive successful funding, these services would need to take place at other sites.

“Additionally, other discussions are taking place and works are ongoing to look at a future library service in Harold Wood as part of future regeneration plans, again subject to any proposals being financially viable.

“We continue to lobby the new government for a better deal for Havering. I urge Cllr David Taylor to work with us in our urgent need to make savings and join the discussions to provide alternative community services in the areas of the closures.”

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