Birmingham council accused of ‘disingenuous doublespeak’ after library change
Birmingham City Council has been accused of ‘disingenuous doublespeak’ after announcing a major cut to library opening hours.
A battle over the future of the city’s libraries was triggered last year as the crisis-hit council passed an unprecedented budget with a wave of cuts to local services.
A report earlier this year said its controversial plans would see opening hours for ‘council-led statutory library provision’ total 763 hours per week – a 27 per cent reduction from 1,049.
Sutton Coldfield’s town centre library is also set to close on June 27 due to the “significant investment” required to address the condition of the building and safety concerns.
Now the council’s confirmation of changes to Saturday library opening hours has now sparked a fresh wave of anger from residents and campaigners.
The changes mean eight community libraries will be open on alternating Saturdays, with four open on each.
A council’s post on social media about the change said the city’s library and neighbourhood advice services had been “transformed”.
Independent councillor Martin Brooks, who quit the Labour Party recently, said: “The mendacious language of Birmingham City Council – cuts in opening hours […] is about the managed decline of our community assets.”
Library worker and campaigner Alan Wylie called the post “disingenuous doublespeak that makes a mockery of local democracy, consultation and accountability”.
“The services have been cut, so say that and take responsibility for the further decline of our communities,” one resident added.
The Birmingham Loves Libraries campaign has also written to cabinet member Councillor Saima Suleman to express concern about the “slashing” of opening hours.
“Such a profound cut to our library opening hours surely does not merit the label of ‘transformation’,” it wrote.
What Birmingham City Council has said
The council’s plans will see community libraries and information services integrated to create a new Connected Communities service.
This will involve ten community hubs being established across the city, which it says will “support residents with localised activities and support on their doorstep”.
“The proposed Connected Communities service will maintain library and advice services in safe spaces open to all,” Coun Suleman said earlier this year.
Asked about the backlash on Saturday opening, a council spokesperson said this week the hours and opening days across library buildings were based on different factors.
“Despite the need to make savings, we aim for the service to provide a comprehensive coverage across the city,” they continued.
“The libraries continue to play a valuable role in our communities as universal safe spaces promoting access to information, community wellbeing, digital inclusion, education and culture.”
They added: “The decision made was to redesign and amalgamate the Neighbourhood Advice and Information Service and library service to implement the future operating model for the service.”
The week one libraries are Birchfield, Harborne, South Yardley and Sparkhill while the week two ones are Hall Green, Kings Norton, Kingstanding and Stirchley.
Ten community library hubs which will be open every Saturday are Acocks Green, Druids Heath, Erdington, Handsworth, Kings Heath, Mere Green, Northfield, Quinton, Small Heath and Ward End.
Sutton Coldfield library closure
On the closure of Sutton Coldfield’s town centre library, Coun Suleman said in May: “We remain committed to providing a library service across Sutton Coldfield and will continue to work with partners for the continuation of Boldmere and Walmley libraries, in addition to services at Mere Green Library.
“The mobile library service will also continue to serve the area providing access for those impacted by the closure.
“Residents in Sutton Coldfield can continue to access the 24-hour online service, citywide book reservation service, self-service, Library Services at Home, and digital library offering.
“We remain open to exploring future partnership opportunities as they arise across the city.”
Several issues have contributed to the financial turmoil at the city council according to external auditors, including the equal pay debacle, inadequate budget setting, poor service management, demand led pressures and the disastrous implementation of a new IT system.
Labour politicians have also highlighted the impact of previous funding cuts which have impacted local government.
