CLUELESS LAMBETH DETERMINED TO HURT VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
Lambeth council has no answer at all to mounting criticisms of its
disastrous libraries policy. But it is still forcing it through,
despite universal condemnation.
Friends of Lambeth Libraries (FOLL) says:
* Wrecking the much-used library service will hurt the vulnerable
residents that Lambeth has a legal duty to protect - as Lambeth itself
admits.
* The crazy put-GLL-gyms-in-libraries idea* will NOT make the £800,000
savings required. At most it will save £485,000.
* A plan from the library managers would keep all 10 libraries
running, as people want, AND save £800,000 - or more.
* This plan was never investigated. Its existence has been concealed.
* The GLL deal, put together in secret, splashes £4m on installing
gyms that nobody wants or needs.
* The deal puts all financial risks on to Lambeth, while GLL takes any profits.
* GLL also gets valuable buildings at a peppercorn rent - buildings
gifted to the borough to be used as libraries.
* The GLL deal has no business plan, no market research - not even a
basic feasibility study.
FOLL chair Laura Swaffield says: 'At the council meeting last night
(18 November), cabinet member Jane Edbrooke made not the slightest
attempt to answer any of the points we made. It was an embarrassing
sight.
'She just mumbled her usual spiel about the horrid government and
Lambeth's cleverness - she does it faster every time. It's become
inaudible.
'But that doesn't matter to Labour councillors. They vote the way
they're told. They don't care what they are doing.
'As usual, the meeting was packed with angry protesters - another 50
were shut out. It's frankly a scandal.'
* Lambeth plans to reduce 5 of its 10 libraries to a fraction of their
current size, with no onsite staff to help people - or safeguard
children. Three of these libraries will be swamped by a fee-charging
gym. Lambeth is already over provided with gyms.
CONTACT: Laura Swaffield, 07914 491 145.
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