Home > [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Conservatives urge Greens to reconsider library cuts

By James Ledward
Jan 23, 2012 - 9:28:04 PM
News Feed
Printer friendly page
Bookmark and Share
WEB.220.BARNETT_Dawn_1.jpg
Cllr Dawn Barnett
Hangleton Ward Councillors – Dawn Barnett and Tony Janio – have launched a petition protesting against the Green Administration’s proposal to reduce the opening hours at Hangleton Library from 5½ to 4 days a week.

As part of their Budget, the Green Administration has proposed cuts of
£171,000 to the library service for next year including reductions in
opening hours at both Hangleton and Portslade libraries, the abolition of
the mobile library service and the cancellation of a free book
ordering service for visually impaired people.

A consultation on the proposals was launched last Monday and the Conservatives are urging residents to make their views known to the Council.

Cllr. Barnett said:
“Hangleton Library is incredibly popular with  residents in my ward and it will be a huge blow to them if the Greens go ahead with these cuts to opening hours. I am particularly concerned about the impact it will have on things like homework clubs, parent and baby groups and other community events which are a lifeline for many young people and families in this part of the city where it’s not so easy to get to the two central libraries.”

The campaign against the library cuts is also being supported by
Conservative Group Spokesperson on Culture – Cllr. Vanessa Brown.

Cllr. Brown said:
“I would urge residents in both Hangleton and Portslade, and those across the City who use the mobile library, to tell the Greens what they think of these proposals. When we were in Administration we made it a priority to protect frontline library services. Indeed, we extended opening hours – including introducing Sunday opening at the Jubilee Library - delivered the fantastic new library at Whitehawk and drove forward plans for a state of the art new library at Woodingdean. What happened to the Green’s election promise to protect frontline services?”


Can't find what you're looking for?
Take a look in the News archive.
Amsterdam