Essex: Mobile library services cut by Tories

12.39.57pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Despite overwhelming public objection, Conservatives at Essex County Council have voted to reduce mobile library services across the county; a recent public consultation showed that 80% of respondents wanted the service to continue as it is. Now, mobile libraries will only call once a fortnight instead of the weekly service currently offered and any stops less than two miles from a static library are under serious threat.

Cllr Theresa Higgins, Liberal Democrats spokesman for community services said: "This decision is political arrogance of the first degree. The public's views about this service could not have been made any clearer and yet the Conservatives have blatantly ignored them. Bizarrely, this flies in the face of the council's own policy on increasing the percentage of residents who want to be able to influence decisions affecting their own area.

"Whichever way the Tories spin this story, there is now a huge reduction in what is a much valued service in communities. We were promised by the Conservative leader Lord Hanningfield, that the cost cutting exercise currently being undertaken by the council, would not affect frontline services. This decision is clear evidence to the contrary", Cllr Higgins added.

ENDS