July 17, 2014 11.41 am
This story is over 112 months old
High Court quashes council’s changes to Lincolnshire libraries
Overruled: It’s back the the drawing board for Lincolnshire County Council after its plans to close 30 Lincolnshire libraries were quashed by High Court.
Campaigners with their London train tickets ahead of the Lincolnshire libraries judicial review. Photo: Save Lincolnshire Libraries
The High Court in London has ruled against Lincolnshire County Council’s decision to close 30 libraries in favour of community hubs.
The ruling, announced on July 17, means the County Council will have to review again its current plans.
The result follows a two-day hearing earlier in the month, after a Simon Draper, campaigner for Save Lincolnshire Libraries, took the council to the High Court over their decision to cut library services.
According to the council’s plans, 30 libraries across the county would close in order to make savings of £1.7 million due to government cuts, with some 170 jobs lost in the process.
The closed libraries would be replaced by “community hubs”, which would be managed by local community groups, individuals, or businesses such as Lincolnshire Co-op.
The council will now have to undertake another period of consultation over the plans before being reviewed by the council’s Executive.
It will also consider a bid from Greenwich Leisure Ltd, a company looking to take on the entire Lincolnshire service.
In a statement regarding the ruling, judge Mr Justice Collins said: “I have decided that the means by which the County Council decided and reached their decision was flawed, in two respects.
“In respect of the consultation, and of their failure to properly deal with an application by a charitable organisation [Greenwich Leisure Limited] which already ran library service for two London boroughs, Greenwich and Woolwich.
“I have decided that the decision made in December last year should be quashed.”
“Victory for democracy”
Save Lincolnshire libraries campaigners who were present at the two-day hearing are extremely pleased with the outcome, and hope the council will learn from the outcome.
Campaigner Simon Draper said: “We are simply over the moon. As soon as the full judgment was reached and read out, we had a big group hug and started phoning everybody.
“I want to thank the people of Lincolnshire for standing with me against the council in this, we really are not to be walked over!”
A letter from High Court, explaining the outcome of the review. Photo: Simon Draper
John Hough, Leader of the Labour opposition at the County Council, and spokesperson for Save Lincolnshire Libraries, said:
“This is an historic day for the people of Lincolnshire. In their tens of thousands, they have refused to bow down to the arrogant and unyielding power of the County Council.
“We as Save Lincolnshire Libraries want to give a huge thank you to the thousands of people who have supported our campaign to keep libraries in Lincolnshire. Without their support this case would never have come to the High Court and the county council would have got away with an unlawful decision.
“We hope this decision will mean that people throughout Lincolnshire will continue to be able to access a properly run public library service which will continue to be run by experienced staff, supported by volunteers.
“Today is a victory for ordinary people and for democracy over a powerful institution that misused its power to try and impose its own political ideology on people in Lincolnshire, whether they wanted it or not.”
Angela Montague added: “A victory for Lincolnshire and for democracy, the council have bullied and blocked us at every step of this process, I am delighted that standing up to the bullies has resulted in a win – as it always should. Goliath met David today in the High Court.”
Disappointed and ironic
Richard Wills, Executive Director, said: “We are, of course, disappointed with the decision.
“We believe that our proposals would have increased library provision in the county, while also making substantial savings, meaning taxpayers would be getting a much better deal.
“The judge agreed there was a need to make savings, that our proposals would meet our statutory duties and that we’d carefully considered the impact on all residents.
“However, his decision means we will now need to undertake further consultation and re-examine the proposal from Greenwich Leisure Ltd.
“Ironically, although we must consider that proposal as a community offer to take over the council’s services under the Localism Act, it could lead to the library service being put out to procurement and outsourced to a commercial organisation.
“We will now address the points raised by the judge and remain open-minded. However, we need to take time to consider the best way forward, and will announce our next steps in the near future.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to keep in close contact with the communities wanting to become involved in running library services.
“What this judgement doesn’t change is the need for us to find further yearly savings of £90 million by 2018.”
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Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
Although Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market is no more this year, and won’t be opening today, there are still alternative festive events happening in Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council’s decision to cancel the 40-year-old event over safety concerns prompted backlash from people and business but, despite pleas from opposition members, its leaders would not change their stance.
There are, however, still some events in Lincoln to get you in the festive mood this week, including these highlights:
Christmas Market at County Assembly Rooms
The County Assembly Rooms in the Bailgate will still hold its own Christmas Market that it has done for many years.
Manager Gill Hunter said stallholders had already pre-booked and 70% still wanted to do it despite the cancellation of the city’s 40-year-old Christmas Market in uphill Lincoln.
There will be a range of festive stalls, food, drinks and performers when it opens at the following times:
Thursday, December 7 (4pm-9pm)
Friday, December 8 (10am-9pm)
Saturday, December 9 (10am-9pm)
Sunday, December 10 (10am-7pm)
This coincides with the free parking at selected city council car parks in uphill Lincoln on Thursday and Friday. This is available at these car parks: Westgate 1,2,3, St Pauls, Castle Hill, The Lawn, and Langworthgate
The bar at The County Assembly Rooms will be serving hot chocolate, festive sandwiches, alcoholic beverages and more. There will also be a brewery selling bottle ale and roasted hot chestnuts will also be available to buy.
Lincoln Castle Illuminated
Lincoln Castle Illuminated will run from Friday, December 8 until Saturday, December 23.
The Castle grounds will be bejewelled with festive lights and illuminated Christmas features. You can take a drip down Candy Cane Lane and also see the resident Castle dragons Lucy and Norman.
The Castle has retained its popular Illuminated Wall Walk, but the lift is currently out of action so it can only be accessed via the spiral staircase.
You can also board the ‘Mini Polar Express’ and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
In addition, there will be local vendors offering sweet treats and winter warmers, including hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Dog friendly evenings will take place on December 13 and 20.
The full Lincoln Castle Illuminated experience costs £11 for adults, £10 for concessions, £6 for children, and £28 for family tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the grounds only for £3 per head (free for under 5s).
Festive fun at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral will be hosting an array of festive events this month, including during what would have been the Christmas Market period.
Crafters market in the Cloisters – December 8 and 9 (10.30am-4.30pm)
Nativity Crafts – December 9 (10am-3.30pm)
London Concertante: Christmas at the Movies – December 9 (7.30pm). Ticket prices range from £33.99 to £47.72
‘After Hours’: Walking towards Christmas – December 10 (6.45pm)
Winter Market at Lincoln Museum
Lincoln Museum on Danes Terrace is holding a Winter Market on Saturday, December 9, which has been organised by Shelf Editions.
There will also be workshops to take part in including metal wreath (£45) and felt decoration (£15) making, which can be booked via the museum’s website.
For the younger visitors there is also a free drop-in Calendar wreath craft session with the Elbow Room Collective.
Entry to the market is free from 10am-4pm with the cafe serving a festive menu from 11am-3pm.
Lincoln Ice Trail
Lincoln Ice Trail will run from 10am-8pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10.
There will be 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures to find – you can pick up a map of the trail from the Visitor Information Centre.
In addition, there will be festive entertainment, as well as live-ice carving demonstrations of the Cathedral.
The Travelling Historical Christmas Market
Although this event is next week, The Travelling Historical Christmas Market offers another festive alternative for people in Lincoln.
The free event will take place at St Mary le Wigford Church on St Mary’s Street between December 14 and 17 at the following times: