Judicial review over library closures by county councils kicks off in High Court
The high-profile High Court hearing into proposed cuts to library services in Gloucestershire and Somerset got underway this week at the Civil Justice Centre in Birmingham.
The judicial review will examine proposals by Gloucestershire County Council to withdraw funding from 10 out of 32 libraries and withdraw its mobile library service.
The hearing before Mr Justice McKenna, which is expected to last three days, will also consider Somerset County Council’s plans to remove funding for 11 out of 34 libraries.
The case is being brought by Public Interest Lawyers on three principal grounds. The law firm claims that the councils breached their legal obligations by:
- Failing to provide a “comprehensive and efficient library service” as required by the Libraries and Museums Act;
- Failing to adequately assess and have due regard to their statutory equalities duties; and
- Failing to consult residents in a fair, effective and open manner and to take into consideration the results.
Daniel Carey of Public Interest Lawyers said: “Whatever the ‘Big Society’ is, it should not be a fig leaf for excessive and ill-conceived cuts or the surrendering of cherished public services. These cuts will disenfranchise the elderly, the vulnerable and those living in isolated communities. We are confident that the High Court will require a fundamental re-think of the councils’ plans.”
Counsel for the claimants is Helen Mountfield QC, while James Goudie QC is representing the local authorities.
Judgment in the judicial review case involving the London Borough of Brent’s plans to cut library services is expected next month.
