At a meeting of East Sussex County Council today (19 September) the proposal to close 7 of 24 libraries in the county, including Pevensey Bay Library was passed. A simple view of proceedings is that, in spite of the ‘consultation’ over the next three months, we are seeing the planning of the end for Pevensey Bay Library—Bay Life 19 September 2017
Proposals to ‘consult’ communities passed
Something of the character of the proceedings was recorded by the Eastbourne Herald in their useful story timeline.
10:28am
Lib Dem Colin Swansborough, who chairs the scrutiny board looking at the libraries strategic commissioning strategy, said: “It’s appalling this is being put through with such indecent haste.”He suggests the library closures are being ‘railroaded through’ with a ‘decision already made’.
He tells the Tory Cabinet: “I think you have made up your minds.”
Keith Glazier, Tory leader of the county council, replies: “I think you need to be careful what you are saying. I can assure you that is not the case.”
With so much resting on the value of Pevensey Bay Library to the local community, it now remains to be seen whether the will exists to fight the closure.
Margaret Martin, is a friend of Pevensey Bay Library. She was instrumental in the 17 month campaign to see the services of Pevensey Bay LIbrary restored following a flood in January 2015.
She told Bay iIfe (17 September), “local libraries are not simply book issuing satellites of the great central library, the added value they offer to building communities through shared interests; the local signposting they provide to a multitude of private and public services; the escape they offer for a while from everyday cares and chores; and above all their role in valuing reading for whatever reason, all this is difficult to quantify.”
Her analysis with regard to the proposal to close Pevensey Bay Library, forms the centrepiece spread of the new tabloid Journal, the independent newspaper for Pevensey Bay, soon to be published.
In her analysis she begins with the words, “In the various media on the county’s proposals I’ve constantly heard about the 40% reduction in footfall figure over the last ten years – the main justification for reducing the physical footprint. Or in ordinary language, why they are proposing library closures. I find this kind of thinking absurd.”
A public meeting hosted by Huw Merriman MP is to be held in the debating chamber at the Priory Court Hotel, Pevensey on Monday 25 September at 7:00pm.
Huw Merriman has said (12 September) “I understand that the County Council’s budgets are under pressure and they have a responsibility to ensure that their resources are allocated as well as possible. However, I also know that the library is a vital hub for the local community of Pevensey and Pevensey Bay.
“I therefore want to make sure local residents are aware of the proposals from County and, if they want to keep their library, that they respond to the consultation and have their voices heard”.
Huw Merriman added, “libraries are part of the fabric of community life, providing so much more than a book lending service”.
Nick Skelton, the county council’s assistant director for communities, in proposing the closures said: “The need for significant savings, due to cuts in funding from central government, has left us with no option but to review how our library service is delivered.”
