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13/10/2011

Brent libraries judicial review verdict- UNISON response

UNISON has warned councils that the verdict of a judicial review into Brent libraries, heard at the High Court today, should not be taken as a ‘green light’ to close services. Instead, the UK’s largest union said it should serve as a warning to authorities that community groups must be consulted on change.

The court dismissed campaigners’ call to save six libraries and found in favour of Brent Council. The council plan to close the library’s at Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston, and Tokyngton – 6 out of 12 libraries in the Borough.

Campaigners argued that the council had ignored alternatives to closures, failed to take into account community needs and the equalities impact of the halving of library services on the population. They also claimed the council were acting against the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act, which requires a ‘comprehensive and efficient service’ to be provided

UNISON Head of Local Government, Heather Wakefield, said:

“This case should serve as a stark warning to authorities looking to make changes to ensure they consult staff and local communities.

“Community groups are being held to ransom by Government plans, to force them to take over their libraries, or lose them. This will create a postcode lottery, with some communities going without libraries altogether, if groups fail to rise to the challenge.

“The Government must act to stop local authorities rushing through changes to services with no consultation. UNISON will continue to fight to protect library services from savage cuts, as community campaigns continue across the country. An investment in libraries is an investment in the future generation.”

Ends

People in UNISON
Dave Prentis, general secretary
Keith Sonnet, deputy general secretary
Eleanor Smith, president
Maureen Le Marinel, vice-president
Chris Tansley, vice-president

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