By Emily Pearce
Friday, July 15, 2011
THE IW Council has come out fighting against library campaigners. Following an application by solicitors Leigh Day and Co for a judicial review on the authority’s intention to shut libraries or transfer them to community groups, the council this week said it would contest any legal challenge to its closure plans.Documents relating to the council’s decision to give community groups more time to take on libraries, as reported last week, state: “The council has responded to Leigh Day and Co, advising it would be opposing the applications being made to the court and it is satisfied it will continue to meet its statutory duty in the provision of a library service. It also advised it has consulted and taken decisions appropriately.”Cllr Barry Abraham, the cabinet member responsible for libraries, said he was not prepared to comment further.Leigh Day, acting for Island library campaigners who claim the closures are unlawful because they breach the Public Libraries and Museums Act, to provide a comprehensive and efficient service, confirmed the council had written to them opposing the legal challenge and a detailed response was awaited.Once it has been received, they will seek permission from the High Court for both the judicial review and an injunction, to halt library closures while the case is heard.Legal aid has been granted for the case, but negotiations are continuing about the amount. It is anticipated the community would make some contribution towards costs.Campaigners have also urged people to tell the council how library closures would affect them, by submitting comments at their local library or at www.iwight.com before the end of this month.l Keith Fagan, chairman of Bembridge Library Users’ Group since its formation in February, to fight the closure of Bembridge Library, has stepped down, citing business pressures. The group said it would continue to support the legal challenge on library closures.Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk
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