Eight libraries have been earmarked for closure by Enfield Council, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Enfield Civic Centre and (inset right) Conservative councillor Edward Smith

A civic centre debate has been called by opposition councillors over proposals by Enfield Council to close eight of the borough’s libraries.

The overview and scrutiny committee meeting will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, 14th August, at Enfield Civic Centre, after a report was recently published outling major cuts to the council’s libraries service.

As part of the proposed new library strategy, eight libraries have been earmarked for closure, with declining usage and budget pressures cited as reasons to justify the move.

Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson libraries would all be closed next year should the plans go ahead.

However, the opposition Conservative group has ‘called-in’ this decision, which effectively freezes action until the overview and scrutiny committee has considered it further.

It is unusual for such meetings to be called in August, when council debates are often paused for the school summer holidays.

The call-in signatories are Tory councillors Edward Smith, Peter Fallart, Chris Joannides, Andrew Thorp, Elisa Morreale, Andy Milne and Chris Dey, with the Labour administration’s cabinet member for environment, culture and public spaces, Chinelo Anyanwu, expected to appear at the meeting to defend the library closures decision.

A report published in late July and authored by Lucy Nasby, the council’s policy and performance manager, had explained the reasons behind the closures.

In order to “keep in budget”, “reduce costs” and “deliver our current saving programmes” and reduce future budget gaps, a “number of actions” were required, she wrote.

But Conservative councillors have said it’s “too early” to say visitor numbers are in “permanent decline”.

Other reasons listed for the call-in include the impact on students and the number of closures being “drastic”.

Enfield Council directly runs 16 libraries, thought to be the highest number of any borough in London, but the closures plan would see this number cut in half if fully implemented.

The move would save between £570,000 and £630,000 per year, while also generating up to £3.25million in capital receipts.

After the report has been examined at the meeting, the council will vote to either implement the original decision, refer the decision back to the cabinet, or refer the matter to full council for consideration.

For more information about the meeting:
Visit Overview & Scrutiny Committee

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