Library closures on hold amid legal challenge

Plans to close ten libraries across Caerphilly county at the end of August have been put on hold

Plans to close ten libraries across a Welsh county are "on pause" following a backlash and a "last-minute legal challenge".

Concerns were expressed by people in Caerphilly county earlier this year after the council announced plans to shut libraries and leisure centres as part of addressing a £29m budget gap.

A solicitor at the law firm handling the judicial review request has praised campaigners' "dogged determination" to save "such important community assets".

The council's leader called news of the challenge "disappointing", adding it meant other service areas could face cuts.

The council was preparing to close ten smaller libraries at the end of August as part of cost-cutting measures described as a "bold new vision" for the service.

It argued it could provide a better service at a smaller number of "hubs" where normal library functions would sit alongside services from the council and other organisations.

But the move has proved contentious, with locals suggesting it took communities "back to Victorian times".

On Thursday the council confirmed its plans were on hold after an application for a judicial review was lodged.

"We have decided to pause our plans to create a resilient and sustainable library service, in light of this legal challenge," said Carol Andrews, cabinet member for libraries.

"This does not change our intention to implement our new vision for the library service, but we must allow the appropriate legal process to progress."

Labour's Sean Morgan, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, called the legal challenge "disappointing but not surprising".

He backed the proposed closures, which he said would help save money, and added the council would "obviously defend" the plans against the legal challenge.

The council has proposed using Community Asset Transfers (CATs) to hand over the control of the ten libraries to community groups.

Expressions of interest have been made for several sites, but the process has also been criticised by some who feel the council should have moved more quickly to ensure the libraries could be handed over without sites needing to close at the end of August.

Councillor Nigel Dix, independent group leader, said the council "don't listen to the people, they just decide what they are going to do and force it through".

"Thankfully the people of Caerphilly are not pushovers and will fight," he added.

Councillor Lindsay Whittle, who leads the council's Plaid Cymru group, added: "The public have been telling the council in no uncertain terms that they are very unhappy with the closures of their local libraries. But it is shocking that despite the views of the public, the Labour administration seems determined to plough on.

"I hope the courts, when they consider the legal challenge, will accept the vital importance of local libraries to the public."

Craig Court, of Harding Evans Solicitors, said he was impressed by the "dogged determination" of campaigners.