| Topic: | Do the Council really have a choice with Ealing's libraries? | |
| Posted by: | Andy Jones | |
| Date/Time: | 10/07/19 11:02:00 |
| There is likely to be much rending of garments and gnashing of teeth over the plans just announced for libraries in the borough. I love libraries and regard them as a key part of municipal government. My local library is unaffected so I can be a bit more dispassionate about this but I do understand why people will be furious. The problem is that whether you want to blame Tory or Labour there is major pressure on local government finances. Most of what councils spend is something they are statutorily obliged to do and spending on libraries above and beyond the statutory minimum is one of the largest areas they can make savings in. Community supported libraries can work and have worked well in other areas across the country. We have an aging population and many retired people who are looking for opportunities like this to give something back. If the alternative is closure then community management looks like a viable option. |