Protestors outside Havering Town Hall on 9th July. Credit: Unison
(Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sebastian Mann)
The authority is currently consulting on the proposed closure of four of its ten libraries, as it looks to make cuts to balance its budget.
No decision will be made until the autumn, the leader says.
Residents claim the closures will deprive the community, but Havering says the borough’s five busiest libraries – which “account for nearly 80% of visits” – will remain open.
Councillor Paul Middleton, the cabinet member for cultural services, previously blamed the government’s “outdated funding formula” and its own budget shortfall of £32.5million for the “painful” closures.
The libraries in Gidea Park, Elm Park, Collier Row, Harold Wood, and south Hornchurch are the five shortlisted for closure. Only one will remain open, which will be decided partly by residents’ feedback.
Members from Havering Trades Council and public sector union Unison joined residents and library workers outside the town hall on Tuesday (9th July).
Unison’s regional organiser for Greater London, Fran Allton, said: “The council shouldn’t be opting for quick fixes without assessing the long-term impact on our communities.
“Closing these libraries is a short-sighted solution that will force residents to travel further for services they rely on. Library workers, who offer indispensable support to many locals, deserve better.”
Librarian Angelina Leatherbarrow, a protester at yesterday’s event, told the Havering Daily: “If you cut our libraries, you cut our communities.”
Havering branch secretary Gabby Lawler said: ”There is a palpable fear among library workers and residents that their voices will be ignored and the closures are already decided.”
However, council leader Ray Morgon said “ill-informed speculation” was “unhelpful” during a public consultation.
He previously said: “We know the condition of the library estate requires significant investment in order to maintain its current and ongoing condition.
“The proposal to reduce the number of libraries is one of many painful decisions we will need to make until we get a better financial settlement from the government which accurately reflects the borough’s changing population and need.
“The ongoing consultation will give us the evidence that will help us make decisions and develop proposals, but it comes at an extremely difficult time for the borough.”
The council is holding a public consultation until 2nd August and around 3,000 people have responded so far, Cllr Morgon said.
The lengthy questionnaire focuses on how often people visit their local library, which services they use and if anything, such as transport issues or limited opening hours, prevents them from visiting more.
Gabby said she encouraged “all residents to participate in the public consultation” and support the union’s ‘Save Our Libraries In Danger’ campaign.
Romford Central Library, Harold Hill Library, Hornchurch Library, Upminster Library and Rainham Library will all remain open.
