6 March 2009
Wirral South MP Ben Chapman, who wrote to the Local Government Ombudsman on 16 February, has been told by Anne Seex in response:
"I have received a large number of complaints from members of the public about the Review and consequent decision to close a number of public libraries. Your Parliamentary colleague Stephen Hesford MP visited me last week to discuss it. The current position is that I am meeting with the Investigators who are handling the complaints early next week in order to decide how best to proceed. We will then come to a preliminary view as soon as possible. I will keep you informed of progress".
Ben is continuing to present petitions against closures, writing to Ministers and asking parliamentary questions and seeking to make sure that organisations potentially involved in community transfer are aware of the opportunities and responsibilities that such a process presents and the help available.
Following a meeting with Gerry Patten, Chair of the Save Eastham Library campaign, the MP commented:
"This library is a hub of the local community. It seems like only yesterday that I had the honour of opening this modern and accessible facility, and the idea of it closing is a disgrace. However, this is just one of a number of facilities set to close as part of a process which I believe will cause significant damage to the Wirral, and to the very sense of community of which so many are rightly proud."