Putting Croydon First

Labour: fighting for you across Croydon

Tories refuse independent Libraries Commission

Monday night’s Cabinet meeting saw Croydon’s Tory Council ripping up Labour’s proposal for an Independent Libraries Commission, chaired by national libraries campaigner and former Waterstone’s CEO, Tim Coates, in favour of market testing and possible privatisation.

Despite questions and pleas from Labour Councillors not to push for outsourcing, Tory Councillors insisted on putting up ‘for sale’ signs on the Borough’s library service, admitting that they cannot manage the service.

Labour Leader in Croydon, Cllr Tony Newman said: “Labour is listening to communities up and down the borough and proposed a Libraries Commission, to be chaired by Tim Coates, an independent national campaigner for libraries. Tonight the Tories decided to press ahead with their irresponsible plans to ‘test the market’, in short, to push the privatisation of Croydon’s library service. Labour will stand shoulder to shoulder with communities and oppose the privatisation of our libraries “.

Labour’s spokesperson Libraries, Cllr Maggie Mansell said: “The public value libraries and value public libraries. Where did the idea for outsourcing come from - certainly not the consultation. What will happen to library buildings and contents? The Tories have no idea. Their admission that that cannot manage the service is extraordinary. It is very dangerous path that will lead to Council Tax payers being out of pocket, again”.