Scrutiny committee gives free passage to Bury Council cabinet's decision to close libraries

Bury Council’s overview and scrutiny committee made the decision at a special meeting after the libraries decision had been ‘called in’.

Members of the public were heard to say “shame on you” and “cop out” as the motion was passed to allow the cabinet’s decision to stand.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Michael James and seconded by Cllr Jamie Walker.

Cllr James highlighted what he described as the “context” of the libraries review, which is that is the council must make more than £30m of cuts in the next three years and is receiving no funding from central government.

Cllr Walker said he wanted to move ahead with the cabinet’s decision so plans can start to be formed as to how community groups could work to keep the libraries open.

The decision had initially been called in by chairman of the committee, Cllr Bob Caserta, over his fears that the cabinet had given insufficient consideration to a number of factors.

These included the impact closures would have on children who wanted somewhere to do their homework after school and people with mobility problems.

Indeed, one of the questions from the public was asked by Rauf Saad who is due to start at Philips High School in Whitefield in September.

Rauf, who has just finished primary school, said: "Me and my sister use this library a lot and we are glad we have the privilege to have a library to just walk to instead of getting up and driving all the way to town

"I want to know why you are taking that privelege away from me and many other people? I am going to Phillips and if I come back from school I want to go to the library to do my homework so your also taking that privilege away from many other kids."

Cllr Caserta had also raised concerns over what he believed was insufficient notice given to community groups about the possibility of taking over operation of the buildings.

Cllr Sharon Briggs, cabinet member for children and families, had been invited by the committee to answer its questions.

She defended the cabinet’s decision and the manner in which the review was carried out.

Cllr Briggs added that during March 2017 presentations updating communities on the library review were made at all township forum meetings across the borough, and that all meetings allowed time for questions and discussion.

Klare Rufo, assistant director for learning and culture at Bury Council, said the council is willing to do all it can to help groups to take charge of the libraries, but that discussions about how that would happen could not take place until the cabinet’s decision had been finalised.

Mrs Rufo also spoke directly to Rauf, the school pupil who asked the question, saying the council will make sure his school has adequate provision for him to do his homework there.