Essex: Lib Dems Question Tory Plans to Reduce Mobile Library Service

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Oct 2006

Fears that the elderly and disabled will lose out

Liberal Democrats today (16 October) refused to endorse Conservative proposals to reduce mobile library services throughout Essex.

Cllr Theresa Higgins, Liberal Democrats spokesman for community services, said: "Conservative plans to reduce mobile library services will affect the elderly and disabled the most, defeating the object of getting libraries out into the community. At a time when the population is ageing, it is vital to preserve access to reading and learning for those who are unable to get to static libraries."

"I am also concerned that this appears to be part of the county council's cost cutting exercise, which the Conservatives have said will not affect frontline services. In the light of that, this proposal throws up questions about staff redundancies that were not sufficiently addressed in today's meeting", Cllr Higgins added.

ENDS

Note to editors:

The paper is available at http://agendas/comadDocuments/meeting/1478/Agenda1.pdf