War of words over city libraries 'doublespeak'

Anger as council reveals libraries will close on alternate Saturdays

- BY ALEXANDER BROCK News Reporter

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 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 sparked a fresh wave of anger from campaigners.

The changes mean eight community libraries will be closed on alternating Saturdays.

A council 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.”