Priti calls for responses to libraries consultation
Witham MP Priti Patel has called on residents and community groups to respond to Essex County Council’s consultation on the future of library services, which closes later this month on 20 February. The plans recommend the closure of four out of eight libraries in the Witham constituency and the closure of three further libraries if community management proposals do not come forward. Two libraries outside of the Witham constituency used by residents from the constituency also face closure. Priti said:
“This is an important consultation affecting services and facilities used by many residents. I have already received comments from residents about the future of all libraries at risk of closure used by families in the Witham constituency and as the consultation enters its last week urge people to respond and let the Council know their views.”
“I appreciate that the Council wants to find ways to save money but there are alternatives to removing library provision. I have been calling on Essex County Council to work with me on developing pilots for new models of delivering library services and other local authorities have an array of different models which can be looked at. There are strong views being expressed that library provision should remain in place and I want to see the Council consider all options that enable the libraries to be made more sustainable and viable, including through the co-location with other services and making better use of buildings and facilities.”
Notes to Editors:
Details of the consultation, which closes on 20 February 2019, can be found online at:https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/libraries-consultation/
Libraries in the Witham constituency classified for closure (Tier 4): Hatfield Peverel, Kelvedon, Silver End, Wickham Bishops.
Libraries in the Witham constituency classified for closure unless community management comes forward to run the libraries (Tier 3): Coggeshall, Stanway, Tiptree.
Libraries in the Witham constituency classified to remain open (Tier 1): Witham.
Libraries outside the Witham constituency classified for closure (Tier 4) which are used by Witham constituents: Prettygate, Danbury.