Proposed by Councillor Green

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rennie

(1) Council notes:

(i) the continued and consistent opposition of the Wirral public to the Labour/Liberal Democrat administration’s plans to close 11 of the Borough’s libraries;

(ii) the lack of any thorough or meaningful consultation on its closure programme and the attempt to prevent Council staff from expressing their views and engaging with the public on the implications of the closure programme;

(iii) the Secretary of State’s decision to intervene in the dispute regarding library closures in Wirral, stating as he does the concerns of the Museums, Libraries, and Archives Council (MLA), whom he asked the Council to work with in February 2009;

(iv) the MLA’s statement that it has been concerned about the Wirral Labour/Liberal Democrat administration’s plans for Library Services and that they have been working with the Council behind the scenes in the hope that they could get the plans adapted.

(v) that the MLA has chosen to make public its concerns about the situation in Wirral.

(vi) that the Secretary of State has called for an Inquiry which will be the first of its kind since 1991;

(vii) that the budget amendments put forward by the Conservative Group and members of the Liberal Democrat Group demonstrated that the library closure programme is unnecessary to create a sustainable council budget.

(2) Council believes:

(i) that ready access to high quality libraries for all is absolutely central to a truly public service;

(ii) that the ill thought through and savage attack on Wirral’s much loved and valued Library Service, its supporters and users has brought national shame on Wirral Borough Council and that, if the Labour/Liberal Democrat administration had been prepared to listen to the Conservative Group, the MLA (as it now transpires), the public and even some of its own members, this national shaming of Wirral Borough Council would have been avoided.

(3) Council therefore calls on the Labour/Liberal Democrat Cabinet to:

(i) permanently withdraw its library closure proposals;

(ii) halt any marketing of libraries marked for closure to businesses or other groups;

(iii) demand that its senior officers work with current library staff, users and supporters in a new and genuine partnership to identify a vision for its library service as a matter of urgency;

(iv) draw up a specific, measurable, achievable and realistic action plan on how it will use the current library network to ensure they play a central role at the heart of our disparate communities, providing a rich source of information, wisdom and learning.

(4) Council further expresses its view that, if the current Labour/Liberal Democrat Cabinet cannot or will not accept this notice of motion, it should resign immediately and allow the formation of a new Cabinet that will.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Holbrook

Seconded by Councillor Moon

Delete part (1) (i) to (vii)

Retain part (2) (i) and renumber as (1)

Delete the remainder and add new paragraphs (2) and (3) as indicated below:

(2) Therefore Council welcomes the decision of the Secretary of State to hold an inquiry into Wirral’s plans to modernise its library service; and will co-operate fully with it.

(3) Council anticipates the inquiry will provide a further opportunity for the public to make representations; and, in order not to prejudice the outcome, supports the suspension of any library closures pending its completion.

Following a debate, during which the Council adjourned for 15 minutes at 7.15pm, the amendment was put and carried (37:24).

Resolved (37:24) -

(1) Council believes that ready access to high quality libraries for all is absolutely central to a truly public service.

(2) Therefore Council welcomes the decision of the Secretary of State to hold an inquiry into Wirral’s plans to modernise its library service; and will co-operate fully with it.

(3) Council anticipates the inquiry will provide a further opportunity for the public to make representations; and, in order not to prejudice the outcome, supports the suspension of any library closures pending its completion.