Councils warned over 'illegal' cuts to library services

Council cuts to library services could be illegal, a report from the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has warned.

The cross-party group of MPs says that some local authorities have changed their library provision in a bid to find quick cost savings without taking into consideration their statutory duty. The report calls on Government to provide guidance on the ‘comprehensive and efficient’ requirements by councils.

John Whittingdale MP, Chair of the Committee, said: ‘At the moment councils appear to be somewhat in the dark about what is expected of them and are making decisions which are being overturned by judicial review. This is an expensive, undemocratic and generally unsatisfactory way of making policy.'

The Local Government Association has welcomed the report, saying it highlights best practice in modernising libraries across the country. However, it warns that further cuts will have a ‘significant’ impact on services.

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