East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has responded to County Council proposals to close six libraries, including Caterham on the Hill.
Calling on the Council to rethink the proposals, Peter Ainsworth said, ‘Public libraries are a valuable local resource, and improving the services they offer should mean better libraries, not fewer libraries.
'Libraries often serve those least able to travel further – particularly children and the elderly. Promises of mobile, mini and late-opening libraries will be little comfort to them if they are unable to reach these services.
'Surrey County Council’s finances are being drastically squeezed as Gordon Brown continues to redistribute the national grant away from the county, and the council is one of the lowest funded in the country. These proposals are a direct result of under-funding from central Government.'
And Peter Ainsworth pointed out that financial savings as a result of closing the library would be minimal: 'I also understand that Caterham on the Hill’s library is on Crown land and should stay in community use. This means that any savings from its closure would be particularly insignificant. I fully understand the enormous pressure on Surrey’s budget, as the council seeks to maintain and improve local services, but the proposed closure of Caterham on the Hill library seems disproportionate and shortsighted.’
Peter Ainsworth called on local residents to express their views on the proposals. Chris Norris, Surrey County Council’s Head of Libraries, can be contacted at:
Mr Chris Norris
Head of Libraries
Surrey County Council
County Hall
Penrhyn Road
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT1 2DN
|
