By: Ian Anstice

Ian Anstice — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:06:19 +0000

“I am not at all familiar with the geography of Brent, so cannot comment on the branch library closures, but how one wishes that councillors in other authorities had half the understanding of library matters that Cllr Powney evinces!”

Christopher Pipe via email.

By: Francis Henry

Francis Henry — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:05:07 +0000

Well said, Stephen on September 9, 2012 at 10:25 pm
The truth is that it is all common sense, and only Cllr Powney still beliefs in the
transformation project, he is the sole remaining architect of the plan.

I hope to reply the Cllr Powney’s interview on a point by point basis today

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:25:50 +0000

The case presented above is quite frankly, a joke.
I used to live very near to Brent (fortunately not in it) but used their libraries. I note these points:
– The six remaining libraries are WAY too small to run a decent service from. For example, Kingsbury Library Plus (opened only a few years ago) is very small and built in two/three shop units knocked together. This provides only a small number of books, and most importantly, no room for expansion. All the books I wanted from here I had to get ordered in from Wandsworth/Redbridge/Hackney etc. (Every time at a cost of £1) I feel this is similar picture for a number of the remaining libraries. I’ve been in to some of the libraries remaining. There’s no study space. Two of the libraries are in the process of being replaced (Town Hall and Willesden), therefore giving a complete gamble as to whether these libraries will be a success or not. The new Civic Centre library, in my opinion, will be in a rather isloated location not near to shops etc. I’m not sure about the entire country, but I like to visit the library when doing other business in town, for example visiting the bank or the supermarket. It’s not too often I leave the house with the sole purpose of going to the library. You’re running a complete gamble over the success of the service.
– Many councils (Southwark, Lambeth…) are facing similar, if not deeper cuts but are retaining their libraries and finding other ways to save
– The council were determined to CLOSE all the libraries. Camden had tough cuts, too, but allowed the communities to take over the three libraries it wanted to close, this is similar to cases in Lewisham and controversial cases, eg. Gloucestershire. Why couldn’t Brent have handed over libraries to the community? I can’t see any need for the council’s determination to close the libraries other than to make a political statement.
– The council didn’t have to go for the most closures – few other options were considered. (Privatisation/other cuts/combining services with other boroughs…)
– Brent have recently splashed out on an expensive, and rather ugly new logo. For what purpose?! I don’t understand why they can afford to do that but not invest in key public services.
– It is stated that the decline in visits etc could have been bigger if opening was cut. There is no evidence for this given. I can provide evidence to the contrary – Hertfordshire cut opening by about 30-40% but haven’t noticed this sort of decline. If the council consulted properly with communities to find the best opening hours, they could have cut at times not being used so well, minimising the impact.
– You say that Brent has good public transport. True, in some ways, however, even in the report given to cabinet, you admit Cricklewood library was in a more isloated area near very limited public transport.
Also – do I really want to go to the expense of return bus fare (£1.35 each way) just for a trip to the library?
– 82% of people said THEY DIDN’T WANT THIS. What kind of democracy is this when the VAST majority of people are ignored?
– Court costs in crushing the protestor’s case were a significant fraction of the “savings” produced by closing the libraries.
– Neasden was recently refurbished so would have counted, in theory, as one of your new libraries. Despite spending tax payers’ money, you still closed it.
– Your figures about people living within 1.5 miles of libraries in a neighbouring borough don’t seem to take in to account the fact that these boroughs have similar cuts and may close libraries. There was no clear research in to plans for closures (eg Ealing was considering closing Perivale) Also, Barnet requires you to live/work/study in Barnet to join. Why should these other councils pay out so you can cut costs?

Shame on you Brent. Why aren’t you working WITH communities to provide them what THEY want?

By: trevor craig

trevor craig — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:15:58 +0000

How about Brent sharing a chief exec with neighbouring boroughs rather than paying theirs 194k a year? Or how about cancelling the LGA subscription, which is one part of government lobbying another with our money? I would imagine those would save a couple of the Libraries. It must be great for Labour they know they can close libraries, blame the Tories and get away with it. To many career politicians with no experience of the real world, that the biggest problem we face, not the cuts.

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:00:34 +0000

“Brent Libraries will have more book loans and library visits in 2014/15 than we had in 2011.”

In terms of visits, if the libraries are shared services, how will you possibly be able to tell that the actual library has had more visits than in 2011?

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:53:57 +0000

“But you should not refuse to do something because you are afraid of controversy. You should only refuse to do something if you think it is the wrong thing to do.”

What about democracy and representing the will of the people?

Comments on: Concentrate on services, not buildings: Councillor Powney on Brent’s Library Transformation Project

By: Ian Anstice

By: Francis Henry

By: Stephen

By: trevor craig

By: Ian

By: Ian