High Court legal bid to block library closures
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Brent campaign lawyers are applying for judicial review, arguing council officers unlawfully failed to assess local needs and the likely impact of closing half the borough's libraries. Margaret Bailey, one of the campaigners bringing the judicial review claim, said: "The threatened libraries are important for everyone who lives, studies or works locally, but especially for low income families and their children." John Halford, of Bindmans LLP, the solicitors representing the campaigners, said: "Brent sought to characterise its proposals as a 'transformation' of library services, but in reality it has simply swung a wrecking ball through local services with little regard to the consequences for those who use them." "We take very seriously compliance by local authorities with their statutory duty to understand the local needs for library services and to provide a comprehensive and efficient service to match that need."
History of this topic
Campaigners warn of libraries in crisis across England
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Campaign grows against cuts that would shut 375 libraries
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