LIBRARY campaigners have met government officials as they continue to fight council closure plans.
Dave Quigley, who has helped spearhead a campaign on the Island against the Isle of Wight Council’s cuts to library services, was among those at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Mr Quigley, part of a group mounting a legal challenge to the plans, told the DCMS two top lawyers advised them they had a strong case.
He raised concerns however, the Legal Services Commission (LSC) had stopped their legal aid. He claimed the decision was based on political and not legal reasons.
He accused the Isle of Wight Council of failing to consult properly, unfairly discounting a 9,000-name petition and encouraging parish and town councils to break double taxation rules over library funding.
A DCMS spokesman said the meeting was part of the department’s statutory duty to supervise library services, although day-to-day operations remained with local authorities.
The spokesman said they were monitoring changes around the country and would decide on a case-by-case basis if they complied with the 1964 Libraries Act.
"If a local authority is unable to demonstrate to DCMS they have, and will continue to, discharge their statutory duties, the secretary of state may be required to intervene but this kind of action will be a last resort and we will endeavour to resolve any problems with fruitful dialogue and co-operation wherever possible," he added.
On May 23, the DCMS met Isle of Wight Council representatives, who were invited to discuss the reasons behind the closure plans and public consultation.
The DCMS said it was not taking any action at this stage.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk