MPs on Tuesday warned local councils that they could be ignoring their legal duty to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” service if they cut library services too deeply.
A report by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee accused some authorities of failing to produce viable budgets to deal with widespread funding cuts and alerted them to the requirements demanded by the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
“At the moment councils appear to be somewhat in the dark about what is expected of them and are making decisions which are being overturned by judicial review,” Conservative MP and committee chairman, John Whittingdale, said.
“This is an expensive, undemocratic and generally unsatisfactory way of making policy.
“Councils need to be given the support and advice they need to consult locally and develop a service that meets the needs of the local community and complies with their obligations,” he added.
About 600 libraries across England are believed to have been closed as councils grapple with shrinking budgets.
MPs warn councils over library closures
