“Budget challenges” and declining usage cited as reasons to justify closing half the total number of libraries run by the council, reports James Cracknell

Eight libraries are earmarked for closure by Enfield Council, a bombshell new report reveals.

The council document cites “budget challenges” and declining usage as reasons to justify closing Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson libraries.

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

Enfield currently has the highest number of libraries of any London borough, with 17, including a facility within Raynham Primary School. While the Raynham venue will not be closed, it will be declassified as a public library, bringing the total number run by Enfield Council down to eight if all closures go ahead.

The remaining libraries – Ordnance Unity Centre, Edmonton Green, Ponders End, Fore Street, Millfield House, Palmers Green, Enfield Town and Ridge Avenue – represented 85% of total library visits across the borough in 2023/24.

While the eight closures would lead to a reduction of 281 hours of available library service hours per week, the remaining libraries would be opened for 56 hours longer.

The council report published late last month follows a consultation which took place last winter, when residents were asked their views on the council’s existing libraries service. It did not mention specific cuts plans, but did warn “savings will need to be made”. The opposition Conservatives claimed the consultation was a “smokescreen” for cuts by the Labour administration.

Those fears are now being realised, with the report by Lucy Nasby, the council’s policy and performance manager, stating: “To meet the council’s principles to deliver accessible and responsive services and be financially resilient, we have considered how our library service can be delivered in a more efficient way, while ensuring that it continues to meet people’s needs and is comprehensive.”

It continues: “There are a number of actions required across the council to keep in budget, reduce costs and deliver our current saving programmes and develop further proposals to meet the gap in the coming years. It is in this context that the consultation on the proposed library strategy is set […] We will carefully consider any responses to the consultation and anticipate being able to finalise the new library strategy and implement any changes in early 2025.”

The Conservatives are opposing the closures and have already drawn-up a ‘call in’ response which will be considered by the overview and scrutiny committee, potentially forcing a rethink. It says: “The proposed closure programme if implemented would have a devastating impact on many residents across the borough, particularly for young children, school students who use the libraries in large numbers for homework, young mothers who use the children’s sections, and the elderly and disabled.

“This would undoubtedly lead to a further decline in library usage and is greatly to be deplored.”

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